Published date:
Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime Geraldine Hanna, welcomes this latest inspection report undertaken by the Criminal Justice Inspection (CJI) Northern Ireland on the Criminal Justice System’s response to vulnerable older people. The CJI report highlights how criminal justice agencies should respond to victims based on their needs and outlines the impact of delay on the cases involving vulnerable older victims.
The issues faced by older victims such as delay, inadequate communication and an improved needs assessment echo those faced by all victims of crime. The impact however, can be more significantly experienced due to compounding issues such as failing/ill health, mobility issues and often, the relationship between the victim and the accused.
Speaking on the release of the report, Ms Hanna said: "Victims of crime are not one homogenous group so it is essential that we assess needs in an individual and tailored way. This needs assessment should then be used to inform the support plan which is put in place – in the absence of an individual needs assessment the system will either fail to identify needs or rely on stereotypes and assumptions to inform the response."
The report found limited evidence of the use of special measures such as pre-recorded video evidence or remote evidence centres, despite the unsuitability of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service (NICTS) estate to meet the needs of those living with mobility issues or disabilities.
Ms Hanna continued: "It is extremely disappointing to see limited use of special measures which were introduced to help support our more vulnerable victims. I welcome the report’s recommendation for an action plan to improve the ability of vulnerable older victims to give their best evidence. I also encourage the criminal justice agencies to explore how the pilot of pre-recorded cross examination can assist in capturing the evidence of vulnerable older victims, thereby reducing the trauma and delay that they currently face."
Ms Hanna also echoed CJI’s statement regarding the effective recording and monitoring of victim data to help ensure public accountability and inform strategy.