The Ministry of Justice has been engaged in a work programme aimed at improving government agencies’ responses to victims of crime, and enhancing victims’ rights and roles in the adult criminal and youth justice systems. This has seen the establishment of a centralised Victims Centre, and plans to develop a ‘Victims Code’ aimed at improved services to victims of crime, and increased accountability of government agencies to victims.
This report responds to a request by the Ministry for a literature review that collates, describes and evaluates the evidence base relating to appropriate responses to victims of crime in the adult criminal justice system. The aim of this literature review is to summarise available evidence that can be used to:
• inform the development of the Victims Code and the Victims Centre’s thinking on strategies to further improve victim services
• assist agencies dealing with victims of crime to provide the best support possible
• inform the Ministry’s future work and planning, such as by identifying information gaps about optimal responses to victims of certain crimes and certain subgroups of victims. (from the Executive Summary).