Member

9: After Clause 7, insert the following new Clause— “Extension of Victim Contact Scheme(1) The Secretary of State must ensure that the Victim Contact Scheme is made available to—(a) victims of offenders sentenced to less than 12 months for violent and sexual offences,(b) victims in cases involving coercive or controlling behaviour, stalking, or harassment, and(c) bereaved families in manslaughter or death by dangerous driving cases.(2) The Secretary of State must ensure that information under the Victim Contact Scheme is communicated in a timely and trauma-informed manner.(3) The Secretary of State must publish data each year on uptake and accessibility of the Victim Contact Scheme.”Member's explanatory statement This new clause would require the Secretary of State to extend the Victim Contact Scheme to certain categories of victim. It would also ensure information is provided in a timely, trauma-informed way and require annual reporting on the Scheme’s uptake and accessibility.