The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced it will make its Universal Service for victims and Enhanced Service for survivors of domestic abuse permanent across every CPS Area in England and Wales. This national rollout is part of the CPS’ Victim Transformation Programme (VTP).
For the first time, this enhanced level of support will see victim liaison officers provided to all victims of domestic abuse. These officers will offer support from charge to trial, a service previously only available to victims of rape and sexual offences, following successful pilots including in Mersey-Cheshire.
The Universal Service aims to give all victims more frequent and better-quality communication from the CPS. The Enhanced Service will provide additional support to victims of domestic abuse, with communication from the point of charge through to trial. The CPS will also follow victims' preferred method of contact, whether by phone, email, or post.
Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC MP marked the announcement with a visit to Liverpool, where she met senior leaders from JUSTICE North and joined a roundtable discussion with charities and campaign groups. She stated that trust in the justice system depends on victims feeling it works for them, wherever they live, and that victims' voices must be at the heart of the criminal justice system.