Publishing a consultation document called Rebuilding Lives - Supporting Victims of Crime, Ms Mactaggart outlined plans to provide better support based on the needs of victims of crime. The plans include:
* a major simplification of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, increasing the amount of support provided to those most seriously injured by crime;
* offering victims of less serious crimes support which is timely, practical and local. This could include help with improving home security, immediate financial assistance with dental care and other costs, and access to counselling and other services for victims;
* plans to give better information and advice to victims about the criminal justice system; and
* greater enforcement of compensation orders, so that those who commit crime are made to pay.
Practical support for victims of crime would be provided by Victim Care Units around the country. The Government will work with Victim Support and other voluntary organisations to develop a range of help for victims depending on the victim and the crime they have suffered. The help on offer could include:
* paying for security upgrades in burglary cases;
* providing short-term financial help where the victim faces immediate hardship as a result of the crime;
* providing personal attack alarms to victims of violent crime;
* working with the local community and local authorities to improve security, e.g. CCTV and street lighting;
* liaising with housing, benefits, education and social services to ensure that the victim's needs are fully understood and met; and
* help with claiming insurance or compensation, or dealing with other administration needed as a result of the crime.
Fiona Mactaggart said:
"Even relatively minor crimes can be traumatic, but the most serious crimes cause enormous emotional and physical harm. That is why better support for victims is at the heart of our vision for improving the criminal justice system.
"We are well-placed to make these reforms now. The number of people who are victims of crime has fallen by 40% compared to ten years ago.
"Many victims need better practical support after they have suffered a crime, like a new lock fitted to their door, help with dentists' bills or special services for disabled or elderly victims. We want to provide that help and put victims' needs first.
"But for victims of serious crimes, financial support is an essential element of the overall package. I believe that the existing compensation scheme is insufficient and too slow, as the experience of some victims of the recent London bombings highlighted. So we propose a major simplification of the compensation scheme, increasing the amount of support provided to victims of the most serious crimes and making payments quicker."
Commenting on the publication, Victim Support's Chief Executive, Dame Helen Reeves DBE, said:
"We have wanted for years to give victims the high quality services they need and deserve. So we welcome the new emphasis on services in the consultation paper, particularly when we know that early intervention with support and information can help prevent longer-lasting and more serious problems for many victims of crime."
Harriet Harman, Minister of State for Constitutional Affairs, said:
"This Paper draws on the expertise and experience that many people and organisations have in this field, to ensure that we help crime victims in the way they want.
"Victims of crime want a comprehensive range of support services that are immediate, practical, local and tailored to meet their individual needs."
The consultation published today is part of an ongoing series of reforms which have improved services for victims of crime. Since 1997, Government funding of Victim Support, including the Witness Service, has nearly trebled from under £12 million to £30 million. Victims now have the opportunity in court to explain how a crime has affected them, and under the Victims' Code of Practice, must be kept informed about police and prosecution progress on their case.
The Government has also established 165 Witness Care Units around the country, providing a single point of contact for people going through the criminal justice process, and tailoring support services to witnesses attending court.
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