We can look at complaints about organisations that have not met their obligations under the Victims’ Code.
The Victims Code (The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime) sets out the standard of service that criminal justice agencies should provide to victims of crime or their relatives (if the victim died as a result of the crime). It says that criminal justice agencies must:
- provide victims, or their relatives, with information about the crime, including information about:
- arrests
- prosecutions
- court decisions.
- provide information about eligibility for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
It also says that:
- victims must be told about victim support services and be referred on to them or offered their service
- bereaved relatives must be assigned a family liaison police officer.
The Code sets out provisions for victims of offenders who have been convicted of a sexual or violent offence. It states that they should have the opportunity to make representations about licence conditions or supervision requirements the offender should be subject to when they come out of prison.
How to make a complaint
If you are a victim of crime in England and Wales and believe a criminal justice agency has not provided the service set out in the Code, you should first complain directly to the agency concerned. If you are still unhappy after that, you can then bring your complaint to us directly.
If you have any questions about making a complaint under the Victims' Code, please contact our Helpline on 0345 015 4033.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 removed the need for complaints about organisations that have not met their obligations under the Victims’ Code to be referred to us by an MP. This amends the Parliamentary Commissioner Act which sets out our role and makes it easier for victims to access justice. From 29 January 2025, these complaints can now come directly to us, without an MP referral.