LISTEN: MLAs to debate on whether to introduce a Victims of Crime Commissioner

By Q Radio News

MLAs at Stormont are set to debate a motion later today, proposing that a Victims of Crime Commissioner is appointed.

The Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie said he was bringing forward the motion in the Assembly:

“As a society we must strive to reduce crime and the root causes of crime. This means identifying and reducing social deprivation and seeking to tackle the misuse of drugs and alcohol. However, crime continues to blight society, and with every crime there is a victim.

“The Ulster Unionist Party motion on Monday is designed to assist all victims of crime. The aim is to ask the Justice Minister to start the process of appointing a Victim of Crime Commissioner as exists in England and Wales.

"This commissioner would have a remit much wider than the current Victims Commissioner, and would be able to look at the help, support and guidance available to the victim, and would unashamedly look at crime through the eyes of the victim.

“In July of this year the Criminal Justice Inspectorate for Northern Ireland identified that many victims remained unaware of their rights.

"Their protections, support and services were delivered on an ad-hoc basis and not to a standard that would be viewed as acceptable.

Doug Beattie speaking to Q Radio

"Only the charity, Victims Support Northern Ireland, was standing up for victims of crime, but even it was increasingly being overwhelmed without a central voice to speak up for those affected by crime.

“Any commissioner would have a huge remit, supporting victims of low level crime such as scams and anti-social behaviour, ranging through to burglaries, drink and drug driving and murder.

"The commissioner would link into the Health Minister’s newly appointed mental health champion, and reach into the legislation on Domestic Abuse and help inform how sentencing failures fail the victim.

“It is time victims of crime had a voice and that voice can be delivered in the form of a Victims of Crime Commissioner.”