April 7th 2006

LOCAL MP WELCOMES THE DECISION TO PILOT VICTIMS ADVOCATES SCHEME IN CONSTITUENCY

The Victims’ Advocates Scheme has just been launched by The Department of Constitutional Affairs (DCA). This is a pilot Scheme for bereaved relatives of murder and manslaughter victims, and the pilot sites will include Cardiff, the Old Bailey, Birmingham, Manchester Crown Square and Winchester.

Madeleine Moon stated:

 “I welcome the decision from the DCA that Bridgend Constituency will be part of the pilot for the Victims’ Advocates Scheme, due to start in the Summer/Autumn 2006. The Scheme offers victims affected by acts of crime to have a greater voice in the criminal justice process.  The Victims’ Advocates Scheme proposals focus on murder and manslaughter cases as these are the most extreme crimes, where the victims are unable to speak for themselves and the impact of the crime is felt more severely by relatives.

Madeleine added:

 “The Victims’ Advocates Scheme will firstly give bereaved relatives a voice in court by enabling them to make an oral statement about the effect of the crime on the family and relatives. The bereaved relatives would also receive help in preparing and making the statement.  And secondly, the Scheme will provide more and better information and communication to the relatives about the legal process.  This means closer working between all bodies such as the Police Family Liaison Officers, the CPS, joint Police/CPS Witness Care Units and voluntary organisations, which will try to help reduce anxiety and alienation to those affected.”