A Bill to make provision about the duties and responsibilities of the Victims’ Commissioner and about the Victims’ Code; to make provision about the rights of victims of persistent anti-social behaviour; to require local police forces to prepare victims’ services plans and take steps in connection with victim representative bodies; to establish a duty to report suspected child exploitation by those working in regulated activities; to establish a right of appeal by victims against a decision to cease a criminal investigation; to make provision for reviews of open or reopened homicide cases; to make provision about court procedures relating to vulnerable victims and witnesses; and for connected purposes.
The bill strengthens victims’ rights and support. It updates the Victims’ Code and clarifies the duties of the Victims’ Commissioner, while giving victims of persistent anti-social behaviour new rights. It also introduces practical measures for police, prosecutors and courts, including a right of appeal when a criminal investigation is ceased, a duty to report suspected child exploitation by regulated workers, and reviews of certain homicide cases.
The bill is at the second reading in the House of Commons and will need committee stage and subsequent readings before it could become law.
Generated 21 February 2026
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
