"Victims and witnesses must be supported and empowered by the justice system”, says Citizens Advice

Reforming the justice system to make it more efficient and responsive to the needs of victims and witnesses is the right thing to do, Citizens Advice has said today. Today the Justice Secretary Michael Gove called for changes to be made to the “outdated” courts system that fails society's poorest people as well as victims of domestic abuse or rape.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said:

"Victims and witnesses must be supported and empowered by the justice system. The Justice Secretary is right to look at improving the experience for victims and witnesses in the courts.

“Giving evidence in court is for many people hugely intimidating. This is made worse if someone has to wait years for a trial, or faces rescheduled court dates and further delays. Making the courts more efficient and more responsive to the needs of victims and witnesses is admirable. Video-links and other available technology offer a way to make the experience less daunting, whilst also helping people manage giving evidence around work and caring responsibilities.

“It is particularly encouraging that the Justice Secretary has recognised that victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence must have a justice system that works for them. Currently, to get legal aid, domestic abuse victims must provide evidence that the abuse took place within the past twenty-four months. These evidence requirements make it impossible for some victims to get legal representation when they go to court to protect their children or separate from their abuser. There is an opportunity now for the Government to look into revising the evidence victims of domestic abuse need to get legal aid so that the requirements no longer arbitrarily leave some without the support they need to get justice.”

Notes to editors

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
3. To get advice online or find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers.
5. Local Citizens Advice in England and Wales advised 2.5 million clients on 6.2 million problems in 2014/15. For full service statistics see our publication Advice trends.