According to reports reaching Oyogist.com, Prosecutors in the UK could be required to meet victims of crime before making decisions on whether a suspect should be charged.
The recent development is part of government plans in tackling certain crimes under a victims’ law for England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice said.
The “explicit requirements” are aimed at giving victims a “louder voice” and to make sure police, courts, and the Crown Prosecution Service support them.
Also a consultation has been launched which will ask people which types of crimes should warrant a prosecutor meeting a victim before charging the suspect.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said: “No victim should feel unsupported. We have a moral duty to do better for victims, but as a practical matter that support will also help bring more criminals to justice and protect the public.
“Our plans will give victims a louder voice, a greater role in the criminal justice system, and make criminals pay more to help victims recover.”
Dame Vera Baird, the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, said: “All too often victims are treated as an afterthought, with their needs ignored and neglected.”
She said the plans are a “once in a generation opportunity to drive real culture change, requiring agencies to see, hear and help victims – if necessary, with real consequences if this does not happen
