Recommendation 14

HM Government Deferred

As recognised by the CPS in its response to the joint HMICFRS and HMCPSI inspection into the police’s and CPS’s response to rape, the way prosecutors communicate with victims and the way in which partners in the police, Witness Care Units, and support services coordinate together needs to be improved. From the independent research commissioned by the CPS into victim needs, we know a one-size-fits-all approach is not what victims want when it comes to communication, and we must do more to recognise individual needs. Supporting victims was a core theme in the CPS’ and police’s Joint National Action Plan (JNAP), which was published in January 2021. This work has already delivered improvements in the police and CPS’ joint work with victims. For example, as a first step to improve communications with victims, the CPS has implemented refreshed victim letters for communicating key decisions, as the Committee has noted. Where applicable, victims are invited to meet with the prosecutor to discuss the decision, this can be in person, by phone or via video link depending on circumstances. In addition, as part of Operation Soteria, all CPS pathfinder areas are enhancing communication with victims and increasing engagement with ISVAs. CPS Areas have already set up regular engagement meetings with ISVAs to improve communication with victims and understanding of case progression through the criminal justice system. ‘Familiarisation Meetings’ for rape and serious sexual offence victims currently take place in CPS East Midlands and will shortly be piloted in CPS South West. Familiarisation meetings take place when a not guilty plea is entered and provide the victim with the opportunity to meet the prosecution team, discuss special measures, raise any questions they may have about the process, and share any concerns they may have about giving evidence. They also provide an opportunity for the CPS to give information to the victim that may help reassure them and promote their increased engagement with the case and the criminal justice process. In the package of measures published alongside the Victims Bill, the Ministry of Justice committed to introducing a duty in the Victims’ Code for prosecutors to meet with victims in certain cases, where the victim is willing to do so. In addition to testing innovative enhanced activities, the CPS is carrying out an ambitious, three-phase, national programme of work to improve communications with victims. In the first phase, the CPS examined and completed actions which could be taken in the near-term to improve communication. This included new template letters which help to set clear standards for our communication; an online guide for rape and serious sexual offence victims to explain the path their case takes and what support is available, and a new network for CPS Area rape and serious sexual offence leads, which provides a forum to identify and share local best practice and pilot new methods of victim communication. In the second phase of the programme, the CPS commissioned an extensive piece of research—the first of its kind for the CPS—to understand what victims want and need to feel better supported, informed and engaged. The research considered the methods of communication, the timing of communications and how the CPS can best communicate the reasons for prosecution decisions to victims. The research was informed by input from victims themselves, support services, statutory partners and practitioners. The research provides a solid evidence base which will inform the third phase of the programme, a redesign of how the CPS communicates with victims. One of the early priorities for this work will be to develop plans to define a differentiated service offer, which will include a more tailored response to victims, and it is intended that improved communication methods be tested from the third quarter of 2022/23 onwards. The research, which the CPS intends to publish in the first quarter of 2022/23, showed that a one-size-fits-all approach to engaging with victims is not what victims want or need and it is important that, where possible, victims should be given greater choice about how and when they receive updates about their case, including where two-way communication may be more appropriate. The CPS is confident that the findings from this independent research can be of value beyond the CPS and have already shared the research findings with the Ministry of Justice and Home Office who share CPS’s ambition of improving victims’ experiences. During April CPS also held a series of briefings with key stakeholders and third sector organisations, including those focused on supporting victims of rape, on the research findings. The response to this was positive and CPS have secured agreement to working in partnership as they develop and test their service redesign.