Debate contribution: Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Patsy McGlone on 30 June 2026.

MLA: Mr Patsy McGlone
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 30 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5653424

Text

The SDLP welcomes the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill and the opportunity to debate it, alongside the Chairperson — or should I say, "Mr Amendment" — at its Second Stage. Although the Bill may be narrower in focus than the Justice Bill, which, happily, we saw pass today, with its numerous amendments, it is an important Bill that affects how we and the courts deal with victims and witnesses of crime, particularly sexual offences and crimes aggravated by hostility. The Minister is to be congratulated for succeeding in her aim of bringing the Bill to its Second Stage before summer recess, although that will likely mean that there will be ministerial amendments to be introduced further down the line. The SDLP welcomes the provisions for the long-overdue establishment of a statutory Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime. That is a significant step forward in the development of our justice system. It will also be an affirmation of the work of the commissioner designate, whose tenure was extended beyond its initial three years to allow for the legislation to be passed and the appointments process for a successor to be completed. We commend the current Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime, Geraldine Hanna. She has performed admirably in her role since being appointed in the midst of a period of Executive chaos. The Justice Committee recently heard important evidence from the commissioner designate in relation to family courts and victims of domestic abuse and their children. Putting the office on a statutory footing will ensure that the commissioner's role is legally recognised and accountable to the public and the justice system. The Minister outlined a number of the measures in the process of accountability. Statutory status will also allow for more robust representation of victims and witnesses in legal proceedings, thus ensuring that their rights and needs are prioritised. It will help the development of policies and guidelines and enhance public trust in the justice system by demonstrating the Assembly's commitment to addressing the needs of victims and witnesses. We also welcome provisions in the Bill to address issues that have been highlighted repeatedly over many years, including by the Gillen review and the commissioner designate. Measures to enhance privacy and protection for complainants in serious sexual offences cases, and to strengthen safeguards around disclosure, will encourage more victims and survivors to come forward and improve public confidence in how such cases are dealt with by the justice system. Too often, courts have become places where the victims in such cases have been made feel that they are the person on trial.

433 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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