Long seeks views on draft strategy aiming to support victims and witnesses
Date published:
The Department of Justice is seeking views on proposals to improve the experience of victims and witnesses in Northern Ireland.
The vision of the draft Victims and Witnesses of Crime Strategy 2025-2030 is to increase confidence in the justice system by empowering and supporting all victims and witnesses with a trauma informed approach.
The Strategy’s mission statement is that this will be achieved by “providing victims and witnesses, including children, young people and vulnerable users, with tailored support and effective communication, in a transparent, rights compliant way”.
Launching a public consultation on the draft strategy, Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “Figures from the PSNI show there were over 69,000 victims of recorded crime in Northern Ireland in 2023–24 which demonstrate why this draft strategy is so important.
“As the strategy states, anyone can become a victim of, or witness to crime, regardless of sex, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.
“Engaging with the criminal justice system can often be daunting, disorientating and, at times, traumatic for victims and witnesses.
“This draft strategy aims to ensure victims and witnesses are aware of their rights and are fully informed throughout their journey and that services are tailored and responsive.
“It also seeks to make provisions to meet the needs of all victims and witnesses, including those in minority or marginalised groups and with particular reference to children and young people.”
The draft strategy contains five pillars – Support; Communication and Information; Transparency and Participation; Rights and Confidence in Justice; Children and Young People.
It builds upon the groundwork laid by the previous Victims and Witnesses Strategy and has been informed by the responses to a recent Call for Views exercise.
“I would like to thank everyone who has engaged with the Department and me personally, particularly victims and witnesses of crime,” continued the Minister.
“Sharing such personal accounts can be a difficult and painful experience, so I hope those who have been brave enough to do so can see that they have contributed to this draft strategy.
“We have sought to embed a victim-focused and trauma-informed approach as a key theme running through the draft strategy.
“It is vital that the harm inflicted by the impact of crime is not exacerbated by the criminal justice system.”
The Department of Justice would like to hear from members of the public, community and voluntary organisations and anyone with an interest in and knowledge of the victim and witness experience.
In addition, the Department is planning to engage with partners, stakeholders, and members of the public, through an extensive engagement programme prior to finalising the strategy.
The final strategy will be published later this year.
The closing date for submitting views is 27 July 2025 and more information, including how to respond, is available on the consultation page on the Department of Justice website .
Notes to editors:
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