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 11 independent accountability sources, so the source mix matters as much as the headline total.
26 inquiry recs
2 PFD reports
16 committee recs
6 HMICFRS recs
4 IOPC recs
8 VC recs
3 DHR recs
3 PHSO decisions
1 LGO/SPSO decision
6 CJINI reports
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(26)
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
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: The Honours and Appointments Secretariat in the Cabinet Office coordinates the operation of the honours system and supports the Forfeiture Committee and the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (known as the …
Noted
99 — Honours forfeiture for CSA convictions
Recommendation: The criteria for forfeiture of all honours must be formally extended to include convictions, cautions and cases decided by trial of the facts involving offences of child sexual abuse. This must be set out in a published policy and procedure, …
Gov response: The Honours and Appointments Secretariat in the Cabinet Office coordinates the operation of the honours system and supports the Forfeiture Committee and the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (known as the …
Noted
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 CCOs, where appropriate, in cases involving child sexual abuse by, among other …
Gov response: The Ministry of Justice has consulted with the Judicial College and the Sentencing Council in respect of implementing guidance for the judiciary in the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Courts, and with the CPS in respect …
Noted
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: The focus of the 2006 Act on claims in negligence and breach of statutory duty is not intended to suggest that the provision is only of relevance to those proceedings (and under the common law …
Noted
96 — CICA same roof rule reapplication
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice revises CICA rules so that all applicants who previously applied for compensation in relation to child sexual abuse - but were refused solely due to the 'same-roof' rule - should …
No response yet
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 cross-government Victims Strategy announced that the Government will consider how the CICS can better serve victims of violent crime including child sexual abuse and terrorism. We have published the terms of reference for the …
Accepted in part
93 — Financial redress for former child migrants
Recommendation: As a result, the Panel recommends that HMG establishes a Redress Scheme for surviving former child migrants, providing for an equal award to every applicant. This is on the basis that they were all were exposed to the risk of …
Gov response: The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced details of the scheme on 31 January 2019 and the scheme was opened to applicants on 1 March 2019. It is open to any former British …
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 …
No response yet
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 …
No response yet
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
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
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 …
No response yet
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: This ABI Code of Practice: Responding to Civil Claims of Child Sexual Abuse has been produced with the aim of improving certain aspects of the civil claims process that are within insurers’ control for victims …
Accepted
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: The Ministry of Justice is in the process of updating the Victims’ Code and the proposed changes, including about accessing support, seeking compensation and where to go for additional information and assistance in applying, are …
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: 25. The Inquiry highlights concerns of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse about their experience of giving evidence in civil justice proceedings relating to the abuse they suffered. 26. Whilst the civil courts do …
Response Unclear
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: 14. The Inquiry raises concerns that victims and survivors of child sexual abuse are not consistently receiving the service to which they are entitled under the Victims’ Code. 15. The cross-government Victims Strategy was published …
Response Unclear
6 — Redraft canonical crimes as crimes against the child
Recommendation: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales should request that the Holy See redraft the canonical crimes relating to child sexual abuse as crimes against the child.
No response yet
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 coroner noted that the investigation into a sexual assault allegation was not conducted by a specialist officer despite the complainant being a child, leading to significant delays. Concerns were also raised about the Metropolitan Police Service's support, which involved a four-day delay in initial contact and minimal assistance.
Response (Home Office): • The Home Office stated it is conducting a review of the criminal justice response to rape, which considers victim support, specialist officers, and investigation delays. • The government indicated … (AI summary)
Response (MPS Redaction): • The MPS has made improvements to the supervision and team structures of response teams, including establishing a Response Support Team on the North East Basic Command Unit. • A … (AI summary)
Responded
Robert Hardy
Concerns: Greater Manchester Police did not record an assault with a weapon as a crime, impacting the provision and signposting of appropriate victim support for the individual with known vulnerabilities.
Response (Greater Manchester Police): • Greater Manchester Police (GMP) commenced phased implementation of a central Crime Recording and Resolution Unit (CRRU) in March 2021. • GMP introduced a significant training programme for officers and … (AI summary)
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 …
Response attribution not verified
#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 …
Response attribution not verified
#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, …
Response attribution not verified
#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 …
Response attribution not verified
#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). …
Response attribution not verified
#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. …
Response attribution not verified
#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 …
Response attribution not verified
#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. …
Response attribution not verified
#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 …
Response attribution not verified
#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 …
Response attribution not verified
#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: 62. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the appointment of the Victims’ Commissioner. There are a number of existing data sources that provide trends in victim engagement and satisfaction with policing [Crime Survey in …
Position Not Stated
#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 …
Response attribution not verified
#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 in the system. We have, therefore, broken this recommendation into …
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 …
Response attribution not verified
#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: 30. We accept that there is a need to ensure that police officers who are victims of police- perpetrated crime are afforded certain rights when making a complaint. We do not think opening up the …
Position Not Stated
#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 …
Accepted in Part
HMICFRS recommendations(6)
An inspection of the service provided to victims of crime by Greater …
Within six months the force should complete a review of its operational governance arrangements. It should ensure the review properly and adequately considers relevant information and data, and has the appropriate authority and is effective in directing the necessary activity …
Recommendation
An inspection of the service provided to victims of crime by Greater …
The force should immediately put in place arrangements to make sure that in all investigations the risk to victims has been appropriately assessed and sufficiently documented, and that any risks are mitigated.
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 …
Independent reviews(2)
Wessely Review — Rec 141
The Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice should work together to remove the gap in provision of information to victims of crimes committed by unrestricted patients, and to make sure victims are aware of their ability to make impact statements to the Tribunal in appropriate …
Health & Social Care
Accepted
Gauke Review — Rec 5.4
Continue the provision of free copies of judge’s sentencing remarks to victims of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences
Justice & Legal
PHSO casework decisions(3)
P-002794 — Crown Prosecution Service
The CPS prosecuting barrister allegedly failed to read Miss C's Victim Personal Statement (VPS) in court before sentencing, causing distress and preventing closure.
UK Government
Jul 2024
P-003103 — Charity Commission
Mr U complained DfE and the Charity Commission failed to respond appropriately to his serious allegations of child sexual abuse concealment by a religious congregation and a college.
UK Government
Upheld
Mar 2024
P-002833 — Charity Commission
Miss A complained the Charity Commission institutionally betrayed her by failing to properly investigate her sexual exploitation complaint and manage communication sensitively given her vulnerabilities.
UK Government
Upheld
Mar 2024
Domestic Homicide Reviews(3)
Hillingdon — recommendation 4.6.2c
Metropolitan Police to dip sample compliance with the Victim’s Charter to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are regularly updated on progress.
Metropolitan Police
Metropolitan Police Service
Telford and Wrekin — recommendation 14
Provide evidence-based assurance that reports of harassment are robustly investigated, including those received by email, and victims updated of progress in line with the Victim’s Code
West Mercia Police
West Mercia Police
Lambeth — recommendation 4.2
Safer Lambeth are recommended not to publish this review because in the case of both incidents the young child of each relationship was present and witnessed the respective attacks. Both children are still young and the case received national publicity both at the time of the murder and attempted murder …
Safer Lambeth
CJINI inspection reports(6)
A Follow-Up Review of the care and treatment of victims and witnesses
Victims and Witnesses
Mar 2015
The care and treatment of victims and witnesses by the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland
Victims and Witnesses
Jul 2020
Improving the Provision of Care for Victims and Witnesses within the Criminal Justice System Northern Ireland. A Follow-Up Review
Victims and Witnesses
Mar 2008
Improving the Provision of Care for Victims and Witnesses within the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland
Victims and Witnesses
Jul 2005
The care and treatment of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland
Victims and Witnesses
Dec 2011
Review of PPS response to the review of related Sexual Abuse and Terrorism Cases (The Starmer Review)
Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPS), Pros…
Oct 2017