Victims Bill is a legislative term used in multiple jurisdictions to refer to proposed or enacted laws that establish, codify, or expand the rights and support services available to victims of crime. The specific content and scope of a Victims Bill varies by jurisdiction.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the term "Victims Bill" refers to a legislative initiative of the UK Government to improve support for victims of crime within the criminal justice system of England and Wales. A Draft Victims Bill was published for pre-legislative scrutiny on 25 May 2022 (CP 687) by the Ministry of Justice under the Conservative government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The draft Bill proposed measures including: placing the overarching principles of the Victims' Code into primary legislation; enhancing local oversight of Victims' Code compliance by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs); introducing a duty on PCCs, local authorities, and Integrated Care Boards to collaborate in commissioning victim support services; placing Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) on a statutory footing; amending the role of the Victims' Commissioner; and removing the requirement for victims to raise complaints via a Member of Parliament before escalation to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Following pre-legislative scrutiny by the Justice Select Committee, the Government introduced the Victims and Prisoners Bill to Parliament on 29 March 2023. This Bill expanded the scope of the original draft to include measures relating to parole reform, the establishment of an Independent Public Advocate for victims of major incidents, the creation of an Infected Blood Compensation Authority, and restrictions on marriage for prisoners serving whole life orders. The Bill received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024 and became the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21). The Act applies primarily to England and Wales, with certain provisions extending to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Canada
In Canada, the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (S.C. 2015, c. 13, s. 2) was enacted on 23 April 2015 and came into force on 23 July 2015. This federal statute establishes statutory rights for victims of crime within the Canadian criminal justice system, including: the right to information (about the criminal justice system, investigation status, proceedings, and offender release); the right to protection (security, privacy, protection from intimidation and retaliation, testimonial aids); the right to participation (conveying views, presenting victim impact statements); and the right to restitution (court consideration of restitution orders and enforcement). The Act was enacted through the Victims Bill of Rights Act (S.C. 2015, c. 13), which also amended the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act, and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to align with the new rights framework.
Ontario, Canada
The Province of Ontario enacted the Victims' Bill of Rights, 1995 (S.O. 1995, c. 6), which sets out principles for the treatment of victims of crime, including courtesy and respect, access to information, notification of offender release, and prompt return of property. The Act also established a Victims' Justice Fund Account and created the Office for Victims of Crime as an advisory body to the Attorney General.
Trinidad and Tobago
In Trinidad and Tobago, the Victims' Rights Bill, 2026 was introduced to Parliament in 2026, seeking to establish a framework for monitoring the treatment of victims by investigatory, prosecuting, and victim services agencies, and to support their recovery process.
