Justice Minister Naomi Long has paid tribute to victims and witnesses whose accounts of the criminal justice system have informed new legislation designed to strengthen their support, protection and rights.

The Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill, introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 22 June 2026, has reached its second stage. The Minister outlined how the proposals would deliver on her commitment to improve how victims and witnesses experience the system.

Minister Long said: "I have had the privilege of meeting directly with many victims and witnesses of crime who have shared with me their lived experiences of the criminal justice system. For too many, this has caused or added to existing trauma, and this is something I am determined to change.

"I am constantly awed by the people who meet with me, often recounting some of the worst experiences of their lives, but who do so to seek change and to prevent the same experience befalling someone else. The provisions set out in this Bill are therefore informed directly by what victims and witnesses have told us. I would like to thank all those individuals for sharing their experiences, as well as all those campaigning for change, who have ever taken the time to meet with me or to contact my Department.

"This Bill owes a debt of gratitude to them. It is a further step towards improving the experience of the criminal justice system for all victims and witnesses of crime, and towards ensuring their voices are heard."

Under the Bill, complainants in serious sexual offence cases would, for the first time, be entitled to free and independent legal representation at specified pre-trial application hearings. For those involved in hate crime cases, the court process would be made less daunting through automatic eligibility for consideration of Special Measures, such as giving evidence by video link or from behind a screen. The legislation would also prevent individuals accused of hate crime offences from questioning witnesses directly in court.

The Bill would establish an independent statutory Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime for Northern Ireland. The Commissioner would promote the interests of victims and witnesses and drive improvements across the justice system by monitoring how criminal justice agencies deliver services owed under the Victim Charter, and by making recommendations where change is needed.

Further provisions include mandatory publication of victim-related statistics by Victim Charter service providers; tighter regulation of access to complainants' private information in serious sexual offence cases; a technical fix to address an issue expected to arise when Committal Reform in Northern Ireland is implemented; and the extension of Special Measures alongside protection from direct cross-examination in hate crime-aggravated cases.

Some elements of the Bill stem from recommendations in the Gillen Review into the law and procedures for serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland.

"In conclusion, the Minister said: The Bill marks another step forward towards reforming our justice system to improve the experience of victims and witnesses of crime. It gives effect to my objective to create a more victim and witness centred, transparent and protective criminal justice system where victims and witnesses are supported, represented and safeguarded through the criminal justice system."