Counselling: Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence are informed of their rights to access pre-trial therapeutic support.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones
We are clear that there is no need for victims to delay therapy before, during or after any potential trial on account of an ongoing police investigation or prosecution.
The Victims’ Code provides that victims have the right to access support to help them to cope, and as far as possible, recover from being a victim of crime. Local support services are provided by Police and Crime Commissioners, and relevant support offers could include therapy and counselling.
Victims can access this support at any time, whether or not they have reported a crime, and during the criminal justice process or at any time after it. The Crown Prosecution Service’s pre-trial therapy guidance is also clear that therapy should not be delayed for any reason connected with a criminal investigation or prosecution. This guidance sets out clearly that it is for the victim to make decisions about therapy with their therapist.
To help make sure victims know about their rights under the Victims’ Code, the police will communicate these to victims when a crime is reported. To help raise wider awareness, we have launched the Understand Your Rights Victims’ Code campaign.
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