Question to the Justice Secretary

Today in Parliament, I raised the important issue of victim impact statements being altered.

Earlier this year, I met with Justice for Victims, an inspiring campaign group founded by people directly affected by serious crimes, many having lost loved ones. One family shared the heartbreaking story of their young daughter, killed by an unlicensed driver, and how they were repeatedly asked to change their victim impact statement to avoid offending the defendant.

Victims and their families deserve the right to fully express their stories, feelings, and grief without interference. I asked the Justice Secretary what steps are being taken to ensure victims have full autonomy over their statements, so their voices are heard authentically in court.

Watch this video for my full question and the Justice Secretary’s response.