Report Summary
A Public Briefing outlining Police Scotland’s approach to supporting victims of crime. Published in September 2025.
To access the full document please open the PDF document above.
To view as accessible content please use the sections below. (Note that some tables and appendixes are not available as accessible content).
Legislation in England and Wales
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales (known as the Victims’ Code) was updated in January 2025. It sets out the minimum standards that must be provided to victims of crime by service providers in England and Wales. The Victims’ Code sets out the rights that victims of crime are entitled to and the services that are required to deliver them. This includes all police forces in England and Wales (including British Transport Police and the Ministry of Defence Police).
Within England and Wales there is a Victims’ Commissioner. This role was established in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. The role of the Commissioner is to:
raise awareness of the common issues faced by victims and witnesses.
monitor how criminal justice and victim support agencies comply with the Victims’ Code and Witness Charter.
conduct detailed research and produce comprehensive reviews.
use their independent voice to influence national policy-making and hold partner agencies to account.
speak up about what works best for all victims and witnesses, and especially the most vulnerable.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 expanded the Victims’ Commissioner’s remit to include powers to request information, issue recommendations, and require responses from public bodies. The Victims and Courts Bill introduced in May 2025 suggests further powers for the Victims’ Commissioner.
