Victim Code Compliance
The Inquiry recommends (as originally stated in its Interim Report, dated April 2018) that the UK government commissions a joint inspection of compliance with the Victims' Code in relation to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, to be undertaken by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, His Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation.
- The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 placed the Victims' Code on a statutory footing with compliance duties for criminal justice bodies (Victims and Prisoners Act 2024).
- No published joint inspection report specifically examining compliance with the Victims' Code in CSA cases has been identified to March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartWe accept the need to ensure compliance with the Victims Code. The Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates have included an inspection on the ‘experiences of victims of child sexual abuse of the criminal justice system’ in their 2023-25 inspection programme, with Code compliance proposed to feature. We will also consider this recommendation through the Victims and Prisoners Bill, with complementary measures to improve victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system.
Progress Timeline
Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates commissioned for priority inspection on Victims' Code compliance. Business plan inclusion expected spring 2025, with inspection in 2025-27 period.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
Professor Alexis Jay told Home Affairs Committee that £187m was spent on IICSA and "to date none of its final recommendations had been implemented." Called for "full implementation" saying "get it done."
View detailed findings
As of December 2024, none of the 20 final report recommendations had been implemented. The previous government's response was described by Prof Jay as "very weak and, at times, apparently disingenuous."