England & Wales · 2024
Victims and Prisoners Act 2024
Protects: All victims of crime, with specific recognition of victims of domestic abuse, sexual offences, stalking and child victims who witnessed abuse.
Information only. This is not legal advice. Court procedures and the law change. Always confirm with a solicitor, Citizens Advice, or a domestic abuse advocate before acting.
Summary
Places the Victims' Code on a statutory footing, creates duties on criminal justice agencies to deliver the Code, and gives the Victims' Commissioner enhanced powers. Introduces the Independent Public Advocate, restricts parental responsibility of offenders who kill a partner, and strengthens the role of IDVAs/ISVAs.
Key provisions
s.2 — Victims' Code duty
Criminal-justice bodies (police, CPS, courts, prisons, probation, YOTs) must take reasonable steps to deliver the Victims' Code.
s.16 — Restriction of PR (Jade's Law)
Crown Court must make a Prohibited Steps Order automatically suspending the parental responsibility of an offender convicted of murder/voluntary manslaughter of the other parent.
ss.15-17 — IDVA/ISVA recognition
Statutory recognition of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and guidance on working with them.
What this Act affects
The specific protective court orders and decision points this Act creates or feeds — with the exact statutory section.
Crown Court MUST make a PSO suspending PR of an offender convicted of murder/voluntary manslaughter of the other parent.
Victims' Code duty
s.2Decision point: police, CPS, courts, prisons, probation, YOTs must take reasonable steps to deliver the Victims' Code.
IDVA/ISVA recognition
ss.15–17Decision point: statutory footing for advocates supporting survivors through orders and trial.