Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department is taking steps with the (a) Police and (b) Crown Prosecution Service to raise awareness of Criminal Injuries Claims in those eligible to make such claims.

Under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, victims are entitled to be told about how to claim compensation for any loss, damage or injury caused as a result of crime.  Victims injured by violent crime are also entitled to be told by the police how to apply for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (the Scheme).

The draft Victims Bill will send a clear signal about what victims can and should expect from the criminal justice system and includes measures to increase oversight of delivery of services to victims by criminal justice agencies including the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which administers the Scheme, also provides awareness sessions to stakeholders, including the police, who deliver frontline services to victims of violent crime.