Victims' Code breaches (CSA)
Non-compliance with the Victims' Code in relation to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse by various agencies.
Source spread
Where this theme appears
This theme appears across 8 independent accountability sources, so the source mix matters as much as the headline total.
24 inquiry recs
2 PFD reports
16 committee recs
6 HMICFRS recs
4 IOPC recs
8 VC recs
3 PHSO decisions
1 LGO/SPSO decision
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry recommendations(24)
100 — Posthumous honours forfeiture policy
Recommendation: The Cabinet Office should re-examine the policy on posthumous forfeiture, in order to consider the perspectives of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
Gov response: On 30 September 2021, the Cabinet Office updated its guidance in relation to honours forfeiture. The policy allows for a formal statement to be published in instances where forfeiture proceedings would have been initiated if …
Accepted
98 — Increase use of criminal compensation orders
Recommendation: The Ministry of Justice should consult with the Sentencing Council, the Judicial College, the Crown Prosecution Service and other relevant bodies, in order to increase the use of criminal compensation orders, where appropriate, in cases involving child sexual abuse by, …
Gov response: On 6 April 2020, the Ministry of Justice stated that it had consulted with the Judicial College and the Sentencing Council in respect of implementing guidance for the judiciary in the Crown Court and Magistrates' …
Accepted
97 — Clarify Compensation Act on apologies
Recommendation: The government should introduce legislation revising the Compensation Act 2006 to clarify that section 2 facilitates apologies or offers of treatment or other redress to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse by institutions that may be vicariously liable for …
Gov response: On 16 March 2021, the Ministry of Justice stated that it would consult on the subject of apologies, including consideration of the use of apologies in civil proceedings generally. On 4 May 2022, the Ministry …
Accepted in Part
FR-14 — Victim Code Compliance
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends (as originally stated in its Interim Report, dated April 2018) that the UK government commissions a joint inspection of compliance with the Victims' Code in relation to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, to be undertaken …
Gov response: We accept the need to ensure compliance with the Victims Code. The Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates have included an inspection on the ‘experiences of victims of child sexual abuse of the criminal justice system’ in …
Accepted in Part
78 — Revise Victims Code for CSA victims
Recommendation: The Ministry of Justice should revise the Victims' Code to make clear that victims and survivors of child sexual abuse must be advised by the police that: 1. They are entitled to seek civil compensation through the civil courts and, …
Gov response: On 16 January 2020, the College of Policing made changes to its Authorised Professional Practice to require police officers to provide victims with information on their rights and entitlements under the Victims' Code. On 16 …
Accepted
74 — Joint inspection of Victims Code compliance
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice, Home Office and Attorney General commission a joint inspection of compliance with the Victims' Code in relation to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. The Victims' Commissioner should be …
Gov response: The Victims Strategy commits to hold agencies to account for compliance with the Victims' Code through improved reporting, monitoring and transparency on whether victims are receiving entitlements. The Ministry of Justice is considering the role …
Not Accepted
FR-19 — Tiered Redress Scheme
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends that the UK government establishes a single redress scheme in England and Wales, taking into account devolved responsibilities. The detailed rules of, and funding for, this redress scheme should reflect the following core elements. Eligibility: Victims and …
Gov response: We accept the need to introduce a redress scheme to acknowledge the institutional failures that led to the suffering of victims and survivors. The detail of the scheme, including eligibility, types of redress available, the …
Accepted in Part
FR-18 — Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Changes
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends that the UK government changes the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme to: include other forms of child sexual abuse, including online-facilitated sexual abuse; amend the rule on unspent convictions so that applicants with unspent convictions are not automatically …
Gov response: We accept the need to consider changes to the scheme, and we will consult on whether or not to amend the scope and time limits.
Accepted in Part
96 — CICA same roof rule reapplication
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice revises the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority rules so that all applicants who previously applied for compensation in relation to child sexual abuse - but were refused solely due to the …
Gov response: On 22 July 2019, the UK government confirmed that the 'same roof' rule had been removed. The amended Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme provides for past claimants refused under the rule, whether or not that was …
Accepted
94 — CICA unspent convictions rule reform
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice revises Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority rules, so that awards are not automatically rejected in circumstances where an applicant's criminal convictions are likely to be linked to their child sexual abuse. …
Gov response: The Government will consider how the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme can better serve victims of violent crime including child sexual abuse. The terms of reference for the review have been published, which will examine whether …
Not Accepted
89 — Church funding policy for victim support
Recommendation: The Church of England and the Church in Wales should each introduce a Church-wide policy on the funding and provision of support to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse concerning clergy, Church officers or those with some connection to …
Gov response: On 7 April 2021, the Church in Wales stated that it had introduced Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) support for survivors. The Church in Wales committed to offer funding towards counselling recommended by an ISVA …
Accepted
88 — Rehabilitation code for CSA civil claims
Recommendation: The International Underwriting Association of London should take the lead in the production of a code for the benefit of claimants who are bringing civil claims for child sexual abuse. The aim should be to produce a code, comparable to …
Gov response: On 23 February 2021, the International Underwriting Association of London stated that it had established a working party to develop a rehabilitation code. On 14 December 2021, the International Underwriting Association of London stated that …
Accepted
FR-15 — Remove Limitation Period
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends that the UK government makes the necessary changes to legislation in order to ensure: the removal of the three-year limitation period for personal injury claims brought by victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in respect of …
Gov response: We accept the critical issue this recommendation seeks to remedy, and we will consult on strengthening existing judicial guidance in child sexual abuse cases and set out options to reform limitation law in child sexual …
Accepted in Part
76 — Vulnerable witness protections in civil courts
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice provides in primary legislation that victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in civil court cases, where they are claiming compensation in relation to the abuse they suffered, are afforded …
Gov response: At the request of the MoJ, the Master of the Rolls has agreed to the Civil Justice Council considering these issues, drawing on the experience not only of the criminal but also the family justice …
Accepted
3 — Disapply 12-month limit for CSA police complaints
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the National Police Chiefs' Council ensures that complaints relating to child sexual abuse are no longer 'disapplied' by police forces on the grounds that the incident involved took place more than 12 months before …
Gov response: This recommendation is directed at the National Police Chiefs' Council which has responded separately to the Inquiry.
Accepted
81 — Revised damages guidelines for CSA cases
Recommendation: The Judicial College should revise its Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases to include a freestanding section on the damages that may be appropriate in cases of child sexual abuse. This new section of the …
Gov response: The Judicial College informed the Inquiry that the revised edition of its Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases was published on 11 April 2022. The Judicial College stated that the …
Accepted
79 — Codes of practice for civil CSA claims
Recommendation: The Local Government Association and the Association of British Insurers should each produce codes of practice for responding to civil claims of child sexual abuse. The codes should include recognition of the long-term emotional and psychiatric or psychological effects of …
Gov response: Association of British Insurers: In August 2021, the Association of British Insurers published a Code of Practice on Responding to Civil Claims of Child Sexual Abuse. It seeks to improve certain aspects of the civil …
Accepted
MACP-37 — Fully record and disclose prosecution discontinuance decisions to victims or families.
Recommendation: That the CPS ensure that all decisions to discontinue any prosecution should be carefully and fully recorded in writing, and that save in exceptional circumstances, such written decisions should be disclosable to a victim or a victim's family.
Unknown
MACP-36 — CPS must personally notify victims and families of discontinuance decisions sensitively.
Recommendation: That the CPS should have the positive duty always to notify a victim and victim's family personally of a decision to discontinue, particularly in cases of racist crime, with speed and sensitivity.
Unknown
MACP-35 — Consult and inform victims or families about any proposal to discontinue proceedings.
Recommendation: That the CPS ensure that a victim or victim's family shall be consulted and kept informed as to any proposal to discontinue proceedings.
Unknown
MACP-29 — Develop guidelines for handling victims and witnesses, especially in racist incidents.
Recommendation: That Police Services should together with the Home Office develop guidelines as to the handling of victims and witnesses, particularly in the field of racist incidents and crimes. The Victim's Charter to be reviewed in this context.
Unknown
MACP-44 — Police and Courts prevent intimidation of witnesses through bail conditions
Recommendation: That Police Services and the Courts seek to prevent the intimidation of victims and witnesses by imposing appropriate bail conditions.
Unknown
MACP-41 — Allow victims or families to become "civil parties" in criminal proceedings.
Recommendation: That consideration should be given to the proposition that victims or victims' families should be allowed to become "civil parties" to criminal proceedings, to facilitate and to ensure the provision of all relevant information to victims or their families.
Unknown
MACP-31 — Ensure training and use of victim/witness liaison officers for racist incidents.
Recommendation: That Police Services ensure the provision of training and the availability of victim/witness liaison officers, and ensure their use in appropriate areas particularly in the field of racist incidents and crimes, where the need for a sensitive approach to young …
Unknown
Prevention of Future Deaths reports(2)
Chelsie Greatorex
Concerns: The police investigation into a child sexual assault lacked specialist officer involvement, experienced significant delays, and provided insufficient support to the complainant.
Response (Home Office): The Home Office is conducting a review of the criminal justice response to rape, consulting on a new Victims’ Law, and investing in rape support centers and Independent Sexual Violence …
Response (MPS Redaction): The MPS is developing a Suicide Prevention Policy Document and Toolkit, including information on suicide prevention, support services, risk indicators, contacts and best practice, with a draft expected by the …
Responded
Robert Hardy
Concerns: Police failed to record an assault as a crime, preventing the provision of appropriate victim support and signposting for a vulnerable individual with known vulnerabilities.
Response (Greater Manchester Police): Greater Manchester Police has established a central Crime Recording and Resolution Unit (CRRU) to improve crime recording accuracy, in response to concerns raised. They are also implementing the national THRIVE …
Responded
Select committee recommendations(16)
#14 — MoJ acknowledges lengthy waits for RASSO victims and implements specific support measures.
Recommendation: MoJ acknowledged that the long waits for RASSO victims is “not a particularly desirable situation” and outlined some measures in place to support these victims. These measures included: • investing £41 million in sexual violence and domestic violence advisors, and …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: September 2026 2.2 The volume and proportion of trials involving sexual offences that are ineffective is small relative to ineffective trial outcomes in other …
Accepted
#12 — Prolonged Crown Court waits, particularly for sex cases, contribute to increased victim attrition.
Recommendation: MoJ acknowledges that long waits in the Crown Court are bad for everyone, including defendants, victims and the system as a whole.25 MoJ noted particular concern for victims of sex cases, which are very complex and often take a long …
Gov response: 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: September 2026 2.2 The volume and proportion of trials involving sexual offences that are ineffective is small relative to ineffective trial outcomes in other …
Accepted
#2 — Reduce delayed or postponed serious sexual and violent offence hearings and protect victim support funding.
Recommendation: Long waits for cases to start, delays and the often–last–minute postponement of cases all have a significant impact on the victims of crime, particularly for victims of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) and violent crimes, seriously disrupting their lives, …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) support services as much as possible in 2025/26, rolling over the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund, as well as ringfenced spending …
Accepted
#12 — Amend Victims’ Code to ensure tailored information on sentencing and ULS scheme.
Recommendation: The Victims’ Code sets out that victims of crime are entitled to be given information about the outcome of the case and any appeals. The Government should ensure that victims of crime and bereaved families receive tailored information about sentencing …
Gov response: 34. As noted by the Justice Select Committee, the Victims’ Code currently sets out the information that victims and bereaved families are to be provided with following an offender’s conviction under Right 9. This details …
Under Consideration
#11 — Amend Victims’ Code to provide victims with free access to sentencing remarks.
Recommendation: The current situation where victims have to pay significant sums to receive a transcript of sentencing remarks from the Crown Court is unsustainable. We reiterate our call for all sentencing remarks to be published (subject to the relevant legal restrictions). …
Gov response: 27. The Ministry of Justice places great importance on the principles of openness and transparency in the criminal justice system, recognising how important it is for victims to be able to engage with criminal proceedings …
Partially Accepted
#17 — Strengthen support and intervention measures for Baker Clause compliance.
Recommendation: There is a stark disparity between how post-16 technical and vocational education and training pathways are presented to pupils and how academic pathways are presented, and fundamental differences in the levels of support and guidance that students receive about each. …
Gov response: There is no response for this recommendation.
Not Addressed
#8 —
Recommendation: Bereaved people deserve a charter of rights setting out the standards of service they are entitled to receive from the Coroner Service. Setting out the standards they can ‘expect’ in the Guide to Coroner Services is inadequate. The Ministry of …
Gov response: We do not agree with the Committee’s views on the Guide which we consider provides detailed information on the standards that bereaved people can expect to receive from the inquest process, and at Section 8 …
Under Consideration
#10 — Ensure OfS sexual harassment survey captures student experiences on and off university campus.
Recommendation: We welcome the Office for Student’s (OfS) commitment to a prevalence survey of sexual harassment and sexual abuse in the university sector. This would overcome the reluctance of some universities to do this work due to fears of reputational damage. …
Gov response: 12. The OfS is currently conducting a pilot survey covering these issues with 13 universities. The results will inform a full survey in 2024 and will incude views from students both on and off campus.
Under Consideration
#6 — Undertake an audit of Northern Ireland’s framework for safeguarding children from paramilitary exploitation.
Recommendation: To counter the risk and reality of people romanticising paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, it is crucial that public agencies and wider civic society use language rooted in safeguarding and child protection when describing the activities of these criminal gangs …
Gov response: The UK Government acknowledges the importance of work to ensure that the Northern Ireland framework for safeguarding children and young people protects those abused by paramilitary or organised crime gangs. This is a policy area …
Accepted
#16 — Review statutory purposes of sentencing to emphasise justice for victims and families.
Recommendation: Findings from the Committee’s engagement with the public demonstrate how important it is for the MoJ to undertake more work of this nature and to incorporate findings into its policy development. The Government should review the statutory purposes of sentencing …
Gov response: 17. The quarterly publication of Criminal Justice System Statistics has developed significantly in recent years to continue to address as many users’ needs as possible, in a far more flexible way than would be possible …
Under Consideration
#47 — Expedite recruitment of permanent Victims’ Commissioner and publish victim satisfaction data.
Recommendation: We urge the Government to expedite recruitment of a permanent new Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, so that victims and survivors do not face such a long wait without a representative again. We recommend policing proactively publish and interrogate …
Gov response: 115. Part one of the Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences, which is looking specifically at the operation of the disclosure regime for all crime type, is expected to report back in Summer 2024. …
Under Consideration
#46 — Unacceptable delay in appointing Victims' Commissioner undermined trust and confidence in policing.
Recommendation: Victim and survivor care is one of the basics that policing has to get right. We agree that failure to prioritise the needs of victims and survivors in the past has undermined trust and confidence in policing today. We are …
Gov response: 113. The Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences commenced on 12 October. The terms of reference state that the Review will assess the operation of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and the …
Under Consideration
#25 — Require PCCs to publish disaggregated data on Code compliance and share with Commissioner.
Recommendation: We recommend that clause 5 includes a duty for the Victims’ Commissioner and local victims’ groups to be consulted on the data required to hold agencies to account on their performance in delivering the Code. That data should be standardised …
Gov response: 35. The Government agrees with the Committee that effective oversight and transparency of criminal justice bodies’ delivery of victims’ entitlements is crucial to securing confidence 14 Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Victims Bill: Government Response …
Accepted
#24 — Inadequate data collection hinders effective monitoring of Victims' Code compliance and agency accountability.
Recommendation: A lack of data has been a key barrier to the effective monitoring of the implementation of the Code, particularly with respect to minority groups. Meaningful data collected and published regularly can help amplify victims voices and hold underperforming agencies …
Gov response: 34. The Government agrees that meaningful data collection is essential for effective monitoring of the implementation of the Victims’ Code. We welcome the suggestions on data collection, and as we develop the minimum dataset required …
Accepted
#23 — Clarify rights for police officers as victims and complainants through legislative amendments
Recommendation: We recommend the Home Office work with the Ministry of Justice in considering amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill to clarify rights for police officers who are themselves the victims of police-perpetrated crime. The Home Office should work with …
Gov response: 56. The investigation into the supercomplaint on section 60 stop and search is a matter for HMICFRS, together with the IOPC and College of Policing. The Home Office welcomes the report on the supercomplaint, which …
Under Consideration
#4 — Accredit and monitor online STI test providers, and outline child safeguarding for online risks.
Recommendation: Online providers of STI tests and treatment should be accredited by the relevant regulatory body, and regularly monitored on their performance against national clinical guidelines. In response to this Report, the Government should set out the steps it will take …
Gov response: Partially accept The government partially accepts this recommendation. We are committed to ensuring high quality, safe–to–use STI testing and as such, self–test online diagnostic STI tests that meet the definition of a medical device or …
Partially Accepted
HMICFRS recommendations(6)
An inspection of the service provided to victims of crime by Greater …
Cause of concern: The force is inappropriately concluding crime investigations with cautions and community resolutions that aren’t appropriate and in which it doesn’t consult the victim. The force is also recording that victims are not supporting or are withdrawing support …
Recommendation
An inspection of the service provided to victims of crime by Greater …
Cause of concern: The force is failing to make sure investigation plans are always completed to an acceptable standard and not adequately supervising investigations. This leads to poor standards of some investigations, a lack of timely progression of investigations and …
Recommendation
A joint thematic inspection of the police and Crown Prosecution Service's response …
Immediately and by September 2022 define the role of the prosecutor in communicating with victims
Recommendation
Report on the Suzy Lamplugh Trust's super-complaint: The police response to stalking
By 27 March 2025, chief constables should take steps to make sure stalking victims receive the rights they are entitled to under the victim's code and have access to support services, including ensuring their force has appropriate processes to inform …
Recommendation
Police perpetrated domestic abuse: Report on the Centre for Women's Justice super-complaint
The Home Office should consider whether it would be appropriate to make any changes to legislation to ensure that police victims of PPDA do not have weaker rights (for example, in relation to being kept informed of investigations and subsequent …
Recommendation
Police perpetrated domestic abuse: Report on the Centre for Women's Justice super-complaint
Chief constables ensuring they provide accessible information for all non-police and police victims on how they can report PPDA and access confidential support (including through external agencies, such as the Refuge 24-hour helpline).
Recommendation
IOPC learning recommendations(4)
Recommendation - Staffordshire Police, January 2026
The IOPC recommends that Staffordshire Police review their processes to ensure subjects who are under investigation for alleged sexual offences, and attend a voluntary interview, are provided with appropriate information which signposts sources of support. If a subject is subsequently …
Recommendations - Cleveland Police, May 2022
The IOPC recommends that Cleveland police force should ensure that vulnerability and needs assessments are always conducted for victims and witnesses and, where court proceedings occur, an application for special measures is made where appropriate. This will ensure provide better …
Operation Linden recommendations - South Yorkshire Police and College of Policing, November …
The IOPC recommends South Yorkshire Police take steps to ensure that victims are regularly updated, and at least once every 28 days, in line with expectations. South Yorkshire Police told us that IT system changes mean that once a crime …
Operation Linden recommendations - South Yorkshire Police and College of Policing, November …
The IOPC recommends that South Yorkshire Police ensure it has a way of effectively monitoring compliance with the Victims’ Code. This should include the quality of interactions between itself and others and not just a ‘tick box exercise’ of the …
Victims' Commissioner recommendations(8)
Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim …
Recommendation: The Ministry of Justice undertake a review of the victim journey with a view to exploring options for better delivery of Victims’ Code rights and communication, including exploration of a ‘single point of contact’ liaison or navigator that has …
Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim …
Recommendation: HMCPSI and HMICFRS jointly carry out a review of victim-facing communications, from the time the case enters the court system up to, and including, sentencing. This review should consider the quality and consistency of communications. Read recommendation detail Given …
Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim …
Recommendation: The National Police Chiefs’ Council should issue guidance to Chief Constables to ensure that Witness Care Units/ police staff are undertaking thorough victim needs assessments, which fully recognise the impact delays in the court system can have on victim …
Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim …
Recommendation: The Crown Prosecution Service must ensure any additional vulnerabilities which could be exacerbated by delay are assessed by the Witness Care Unit/police staff and are then communicated as part of the plea and trial preparation hearings, and any subsequent …
Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim …
Recommendation: The Ministry of Justice must update the Victims’ Code to make clear that needs assessments should be ongoing during the court process. The effect of delay on the individual victim must also form part of that assessment in order …
Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim …
Recommendation: The Ministry of Justice commence the provisions in the Victims and Prisoners Act (2024) relating to victim information requests at the earliest opportunity, to ensure the new threshold for seeking notes of therapy is implemented. The Ministry of Justice …
Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim …
Recommendation: The Crown Prosecution Service reviews and updates its guidance on pre-trial therapy to reflect the new threshold and to ensure CPS staff provide victims with accurate information about their rights, to help inform their decision about whether to proceed …
Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim …
Recommendation: The National Police Chiefs’ Council update their guidance and the Soteria national operating model to ensure that police staff are aware of the new threshold and are able to provide victims with accurate advice on their right to access …
PHSO casework decisions(3)
P-002794 — Crown Prosecution Service
Miss C complains the CPS prosecuting barrister failed to read her Victim Personal Statement to the court before sentencing.
UK Government
Jul 2024
P-003103 — Charity Commission
Mr U complains the Charity Commission failed to respond appropriately to and investigate serious allegations he made about concealment of child sexual abuse.
UK Government
Upheld
Mar 2024
P-002833 — Charity Commission
Miss A complains she was institutionally betrayed by the Commission when it investigated her complaint about her sexual exploitation by a Trustee of a UK charity. She says the Commission also failed to recognise her sensitive personal circumstances and make sure of her welfare.
UK Government
Upheld
Mar 2024