Victims' Law "long overdue" says Sussex charity
A consultation on new legislation to support victims of crime ends today
Victim confidence in the criminal justice system is at an all time low, according to a Sussex-based support charity.
Victim Support's comments come as a consultation on new legislation to provide victims with more rights and better treatment ends today (3rd February).
Alex Mayes is External Affairs Manager at the charity. He said: "Victims' Law is long overdue. We've known about the challenges victims faced for a long period of time. This is a true opportunity, that doesn't come round very often, to bring change for people affected by the criminal justice system.
"Victims tells us they often receive poor communication, that they don't get updates about the progress of their case. They don't get that support and for many whose cases go to court, they face long waits for trial.
"Going through the criminal justice process is really hard and there's no getting round that. What we hope changes with Victims' Law is that process is made a bit less stressful. That victims have the right to information, to support and to respect."
The consultation closes at 11:59pm tonight.