25/06/2025
DoJ Pledges Continued Prioritisation Of Victims' Experience
The Department of Justice (DoJ) will continue to prioritise efforts to improve the experience of victims of crime, Justice Minister Naomi Long confirmed today, Wednesday, 25 June 2025. Her comments came as the second victim survey by the Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime Office Northern Ireland (CVOCNI) was published.
"I am pleased to see an improvement in some areas of the system, and this reflects the extent of the work carried out by my Department with the aim of making a positive difference for victims. However, it is clear that there is more to do to deliver improvements in the system," said Minister Long.
The Minister emphasised the importance of victim confidence in the justice process. "It is essential that victims feel confident that when they report a crime, they will have their case investigated and prosecuted where there is evidence to support a prosecution, and that they will be treated appropriately and sensitively. It is particularly encouraging that the results of this survey indicate an improvement in this." A range of services are currently in place to assist and support vulnerable victims, including Remote Evidence Centres, an advocacy support service for victims of sexual and domestic abuse, and the Sexual Offences Legal Adviser Support. Victims can also access emotional support when giving evidence from either Victim Support NI or the NSPCC, both of which are funded by the Department of Justice.
"I am pleased that feedback from people who have used these services has been extremely positive," Minister Long noted.
Nonetheless, she acknowledged the ongoing challenges for many victims navigating the justice system. "I recognise that for many victims the justice system is unfamiliar and can be disorienting, confusing, and traumatic. The proportion of the survey responses providing negative experiences remains disappointing and my Department will continue to engage with the Commissioner Designate and criminal justice partners to address specific gaps in services to ensure victims are front and centre throughout."
Paying tribute to the Commissioner Designate, Geraldine Hanna, for her work on the victim survey, Ms Long also encouraged the public to engage with the Department of Justice's ongoing consultation on its new Victims and Witnesses of Crime Strategy.
"This very important piece of work aims to increase confidence in the justice system by empowering and supporting all victims and witnesses with a trauma informed approach," she said, urging everyone to participate and attend the in-person events advertised on the DoJ website.
"I am pleased to see an improvement in some areas of the system, and this reflects the extent of the work carried out by my Department with the aim of making a positive difference for victims. However, it is clear that there is more to do to deliver improvements in the system," said Minister Long.
The Minister emphasised the importance of victim confidence in the justice process. "It is essential that victims feel confident that when they report a crime, they will have their case investigated and prosecuted where there is evidence to support a prosecution, and that they will be treated appropriately and sensitively. It is particularly encouraging that the results of this survey indicate an improvement in this." A range of services are currently in place to assist and support vulnerable victims, including Remote Evidence Centres, an advocacy support service for victims of sexual and domestic abuse, and the Sexual Offences Legal Adviser Support. Victims can also access emotional support when giving evidence from either Victim Support NI or the NSPCC, both of which are funded by the Department of Justice.
"I am pleased that feedback from people who have used these services has been extremely positive," Minister Long noted.
Nonetheless, she acknowledged the ongoing challenges for many victims navigating the justice system. "I recognise that for many victims the justice system is unfamiliar and can be disorienting, confusing, and traumatic. The proportion of the survey responses providing negative experiences remains disappointing and my Department will continue to engage with the Commissioner Designate and criminal justice partners to address specific gaps in services to ensure victims are front and centre throughout."
Paying tribute to the Commissioner Designate, Geraldine Hanna, for her work on the victim survey, Ms Long also encouraged the public to engage with the Department of Justice's ongoing consultation on its new Victims and Witnesses of Crime Strategy.
"This very important piece of work aims to increase confidence in the justice system by empowering and supporting all victims and witnesses with a trauma informed approach," she said, urging everyone to participate and attend the in-person events advertised on the DoJ website.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.