28 November 2008
By Julie Read
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has come under fire from a senior group of MPs for its continued failure to meet the needs of victims of violent crime.
Complex application forms and lack of awareness mean that only 5% of victims of violent crime apply for any redress, according to the Commons Public Accounts Committee report published on November 20. In 2006, only a third of victims surveyed were aware of the scheme.
PAC chair Edward Leigh said: 'The Ministry of Justice's declared objective is to place victims at the heart of the criminal justice system. If the scheme for compensating victims of violent crime is anything to go by, that objective is a long way from fulfilment.'
The PAC also found that cases were processed inefficiently and were taking longer to resolve. The cost of administering the scheme has increased by £6.1m since 2000.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Victim Support, said: 'Clearly this report shows some very serious failings on the part of the CICA.' She added that the PAC's scrutiny only covered a period up to 2006 and the CICA had introduced reforms since then.
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