The Josh Hanson Trust is very proud to have recently launched its manifesto, detailing the trust’s demands for better victim rights.
The manifesto consists of four key demands to improve the rights of victims and their families. These are:
- Josh’s Law – ensuring victims or bereaved families are informed of their right to appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentencing (ULS) scheme before or at the time of sentencing. In exceptional circumstances, victims and their families should be able to appeal after the 28-day time limit.
- The victim personal statement – changing its name to victim impact statement. This new title better reflects the impact on victims and their families of the emotional harm caused by violent crime.
- Victims’ code – revising the code to include information about the retention and disposal of material from post-mortem examinations. At present, many families are signing away their right to personal belongings being returned to them after a trial. This is because they are so traumatised after losing a loved one to murder that they are unable to take in what they’re being told and are not aware of their rights. This revision to the victims’ code would ensure bereaved family members are given information and time before making a decision and also that they be provided with a signed copy of the form for reference.
- Victim advocates – appoint victim advocates to sit alongside Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales. They would ensure joint responsibility for the commission of victims’ services in their area.
