A Bill to make further provision about the duties and responsibilities of the Victims’ Commissioner and about the Victims’ Code; to require victims’ services plans for each police service area; to establish a duty to report suspected child abuse by those working in regulated activities, a code of practice on the recording of allegations, a right of appeal by victims against a decision to cease a criminal investigation, and standards for the review of open or reopened homicide cases; to make provision about court procedures relating to vulnerable victims and witnesses; and for connected purposes.
This Bill aims to strengthen rights and support for victims of crime. It would bolster the Victims’ Code and the role of the Victims’ Commissioner, require police areas to have victims’ services plans, create new duties and appeal rights for victims, and improve procedures for vulnerable victims and the review of homicide cases.
The bill is currently at the second reading in the House of Commons, i.e., early-stage parliamentary consideration with debate on principles to come before detailed scrutiny.
Generated 21 February 2026
The 2015-16 session of Parliament has ended and this Bill will make no further progress.
This Bill was introduced to Parliament on 20 October 2015 under the Ten Minute Rule. This allows an MP to make his or her case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes. An opposing speech may also be made before the House decides whether or not the bill should be introduced. If the MP is successful the bill is taken to have had its first reading.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
