Commissioner for Victims of Crime Northern Ireland

01/09/2026

We've launched a Call for Evidence on the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill. The Bill aims to strengthen support, protections and rights for victims and witnesses in our justice system. We want to hear your views, experiences and insights to help inform Committee scrutiny. Tell us what you think: https://lk.cmte.fyi/vandwocbill

01/09/2026

Earlier today the Commissioner Designate went to 10 Downing Street to attend a workshop hosted by the Prime Minister's Partnership Unit on ending violence against women and children, with a focus on prevention.

An important opportunity to make sure victim's voices are heard at the highest levels.

26/08/2026

The actions of this police officer were absolutely appalling. Their abuse of position to take advantage of a victim is truly shameful and falls far below the standards we all expect.

Full statement https://www.cvocni.org/news/story-psni-officer-dismissed-catalogue-corruption

25/08/2026

Not fighting back does not mean consent. Lack of physical resistance is a common and normal reaction to severe trauma.

A victim may calculate that submission is the safest way to stay alive or prevent further violence during an assault.

Read more about the Department of Justice R**e Myths = Real Harm campaign in the comments.

21/08/2026

Victim blaming places responsibility on the person who experienced abuse, rather than the person who caused the harm.

By challenging harmful myths and supporting survivors without judgement, we can all help make it easier for people to seek support.

For more information on accessing support visit: womensaidni.org

19/08/2026

Our office has done important work on the impact of domestic abuse on male victims.

In November 2024 we published our report into the impact of intimate partner violence and last year we published our mapping exercise on services available for male adult and child victim-survivors of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland.

All of our work so far has found that there needs to be more done to support male victims of domestic abuse, so we're really pleased to see the Police Service of Northern Ireland "Every Victim Matters" campaign encouraging those victims to come forward and get support.

This is a serious issue that requires a serious, cross-cutting response.

Read our publications on our website www.cvocni.org

18/08/2026

We believe the experience of every victim of crime matters.

That's why we're always interested to hear from you, come and have your say.

17/08/2026

Have your say on the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill. The proposed legislation includes a statutory Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses, enhanced support for victims of serious s*xual offences and stronger protections in hate crime cases. Respond to our Call for Evidence: https://lk.cmte.fyi/vandwocbill

14/08/2026

The Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime has today made a statement on believing victims who report s*xual abuse.

Read the full statement here: https://cvocni.org/news/commissioner-designate-statement-believing-victims-who-report-s*xual-abuse

11/08/2026

Commissioner Designate calls for greater transparency in Law Society decision-making over Chief Executive's good character reference for s*x offender

The Commissioner Designate has written to the President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland expressing concern over the society’s lack of transparency regarding the internal process following the decision by its Chief Executive, David Lavery, to provide a good character reference in support of ...