Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Acknowledged
BME victims of crime often feel treated as suspects, requiring research and support plan.
Conclusion
The increased support for all victims of crime and the work of Family Liaison Officers as a result of the Macpherson report are important wider legacies of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. However, we are extremely concerned that, twenty- two years on from the publication of the Macpherson report, some Black men and women still report that they feel they have been treated as suspects not victims and that this reduces the likelihood of them reporting crime to the police in future. The police response to a victim of crime must never be influenced by assumptions based on their ethnicity, or racial stereotyping. The Home Office and National Police Chiefs’ Council must work with the Victims Commissioner to commission research into the experience of BME victims of crime and they must set out a specific plan of action to ensure there is proper support for BME victims of crime. (Paragraph 121) Recruitment and progression of BME officers and staff
Government Response Summary
The government highlights existing Ministry of Justice guidance for commissioners on supporting ethnic minority victims and states the Home Office is exploring ways to better understand victims' experiences and will continue to engage with the Victims Commissioner.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
As part of its commitment to better understand and challenge racial disparity in the criminal justice system, the Ministry of Justice has developed guidance for commissioners, including Police and Crime Commissioners, around effectively supporting ethnic minority victims through the local support services they commission. The guidance aims to improve the effectiveness of services, and the level of engagement between victim support services and ethnic minority victims. It is structured around three quality standards: understanding needs; addressing barriers; and raising awareness. The Government has ensured that key stakeholders have fed into the development of the guidance so that it meets the needs of victims. As committed to in the Beating Crime Plan, the Home Office is exploring ways to better understand victims’ experiences of policing in order to drive excellence in the service provided. This work includes a particular focus on the experiences of victims from ethnic minority backgrounds. We will continue to engage with the Victims Commissioner as we take this forward. The Government is also continuing to address the complex reasons why some groups, including some ethnic minorities, are more likely to be victims of crime.