A Bill to make provision for specifying new statutory rights and entitlements for victims of crime under the victims’ code of practice; to require elected local policing bodies to assess victims’ services; to increase the duties of the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses; to grant victims the right to request a review of a decision not to prosecute; to establish reviews into homicides where no criminal charge has been made; to create an obligation on professions to notify cases of possible victims of child sexual abuse; and for connected purposes
House of Lords
8 November 2019
This Lords Bill strengthens victims’ rights and the support they receive. It creates new statutory rights under the Victims’ Code, requires local policing bodies to assess victims’ services, expands the duties of the Victims and Witnesses Commissioner, lets victims request a review if a decision not to prosecute is made, sets up reviews into certain homicide cases with no charges, and obliges some professionals to notify suspected cases of child sexual abuse.
The bill is currently at the Lords’ second reading. If it progresses, it would move to Committee stage and then on to the House of Commons for consideration.
Generated 21 February 2026
First reading took place on 28 October. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.
The 2017-19 Parliament dissolved at the end of the 2019 Session and this Bill will make no further progress
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
