The Department of Justice has launched a public consultation to gather views on a new draft strategy aimed at improving the experience of victims and witnesses.

The "Victims and Witnesses of Crime Strategy 2025-2030" envisions increasing confidence in the justice system by empowering and supporting all victims and witnesses with a trauma-informed approach.

The strategy's mission statement outlines its aim: "providing victims and witnesses, including children, young people and vulnerable users, with tailored support and effective communication, in a transparent, rights compliant way."

Justice Minister Naomi Long, in launching the consultation, highlighted the significant number of individuals affected by crime. "Figures from the PSNI show there were over 69,000 victims of recorded crime in Northern Ireland in 2023–24 which demonstrate why this draft strategy is so important," she stated.

Minister Long emphasised the universal impact of crime: "As the strategy states, anyone can become a victim of, or witness to crime, regardless of sex, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background." She acknowledged that engaging with the criminal justice system can often be "daunting, disorientating and, at times, traumatic for victims and witnesses." The draft strategy aims to ensure that victims and witnesses are fully aware of their rights and kept informed throughout their journey, with services tailored and responsive to their needs. It also seeks to meet the needs of all victims and witnesses, including those from minority or marginalised groups, with particular attention to children and young people.

The draft strategy is structured around five key pillars: Support; Communication and Information; Transparency and Participation; Rights and Confidence in Justice; and Children and Young People. It builds upon previous work and incorporates feedback from a recent "Call for Views" exercise.

Minister Long extended her gratitude to those who have already contributed. "I would like to thank everyone who has engaged with the Department and me personally, particularly victims and witnesses of crime," she said. "Sharing such personal accounts can be a difficult and painful experience, so I hope those who have been brave enough to do so can see that they have contributed to this draft strategy."

A core theme running through the draft strategy is a victim-focused and trauma-informed approach. "It is vital that the harm inflicted by the impact of crime is not exacerbated by the criminal justice system," the Minister added.

The Department of Justice is inviting input from members of the public, community and voluntary organisations, and anyone with an interest in and knowledge of the victim and witness experience. An extensive engagement programme with partners, stakeholders, and the public is also planned before the strategy is finalised and published later this year.

The deadline for submitting views is 27 July 2025. Further information, including details on how to respond, is available on the consultation page of the Department of Justice website.