Published date:
The Commissioner Designate has today welcomed the introduction of the first phase of committal reform as detailed in the Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, which received Royal Assent on 7 March 2022.
This reform will remove the need for victims to give evidence at the committal stage, a process which previously had the potential to cause further stress to victims and compounded existing delays within the criminal justice system.
The Commissioner Designate stated;
“I am confident that this reform will reduce the stress and trauma experienced by victims of crime who, for far too long have had to endure the possibility of being cross-examined twice as a case makes it way from the Magistrates to Crown Court. This archaic process causes not only additional fear and anxiety for victims and witnesses but adds additional cost and inefficiency to a system that was already struggling with caseload prior to the pandemic.
Ms Hanna further commented;
‘Whilst I commend the efforts of all stakeholders to get to the point of removal of oral evidence, I must note my frustration and concern at the length of time it is taking our criminal justice system to implement much needed reform. The backlog of cases due to the pandemic has certainly added to the pressures facing the system however this is by far not the only issue facing us. I would urge our government to increase the resources available across the criminal justice system to address current failures and support the development of a radical modernisation programme before this already dire situation gets any worse.”
Notes to Editor
1. The Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime is a new post established to:
- provide a voice for all victims of crime;
- identify, promote, encourage and issue guidance on good practice;
- review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice;
- review the operation and delivery of Charter entitlements and promotion of the Victim Charter;
- direct complaints and monitor outcomes;
- advise and make recommendations; and
- undertake or commission research.
2. The public appointment process was carried out in the spirit of the principles of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.
3. Pen Picture
Geraldine Hanna brings a wealth of experience of working with victims of crime to the post. Geraldine has been the Chief Executive of Victim Support NI since 2015. Victim Support NI is the lead charity providing support to victims and witnesses of all types of crime across Northern Ireland. She has over 21 years’ experience in the victims’ sector and has been the driving force in establishing Victim Support NI’s Witness Service in all criminal courts across Northern Ireland and introducing the role of Independent Sexual Violence Advocates for adults and children to the region. She has been integral in the development of key initiatives to improve services for victims and witnesses of crime including the Victim and Witness Charters, Achievement of Best Practice Guidance and the introduction of Registered Intermediaries and Sexual Offence Legal Advisers. She is passionate about the rights of victims and witnesses and believes that Northern Ireland has the opportunity to be the leading light for best practice in this field. Geraldine has presented widely on the impact of crime and the criminal justice system on victims and has been a member of advisory panels to numerous reviews of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland including the Gillen review of sexual violence and the Hate Crime Review led by HHJ Marrinan. Geraldine has also worked for several years at a European level and was appointed to the role of Presider of Victim Support Europe in May 2021. She holds a BSc in Sociology and Masters in Business Administration.
4. Geraldine Hanna does not hold any other public appointments.
5. Media enquiries for the Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime should be directed to office@cvoc.org