Commissioner for Victims of Crime Northern Ireland

Commissioner for Victims of Crime Northern Ireland We amplify the voices of victims of crime to drive positive change. Inappropriate comments may be hidden and/or deleted.

A comment from the Commissioner Designate on last night's disorder.
10/06/2026

A comment from the Commissioner Designate on last night's disorder.

Comment from the Commissioner Designate on last night's attack in Belfast.
09/06/2026

Comment from the Commissioner Designate on last night's attack in Belfast.

Have you been the victim of a crime in Northern Ireland?We want to hear about your experience and what can be done bette...
08/06/2026

Have you been the victim of a crime in Northern Ireland?

We want to hear about your experience and what can be done better.

Tell us your story here:

The Commissioner Designate is in Paris for the Victim Support Europe Conference and sat down today to talk about the rol...
02/06/2026

The Commissioner Designate is in Paris for the Victim Support Europe Conference and sat down today to talk about the role of her office and Northern Ireland's victim and witness strategy.

Earlier today the Commissioner Designate spoke at a victims of crime conference in QUB, highlighting the need for joint ...
01/06/2026

Earlier today the Commissioner Designate spoke at a victims of crime conference in QUB, highlighting the need for joint working between practitioners, policy makers and academics in driving positive change for victims of crime here in NI.

Have you been the victim of a crime in Northern Ireland?We want to hear about your experience of the criminal justice sy...
14/05/2026

Have you been the victim of a crime in Northern Ireland?

We want to hear about your experience of the criminal justice system.

cvocni.org/have-your-say

11/05/2026

Last week the Commissioner Designate briefed the NI Assembly Justice Committee on our "Totally Invisible" report into the experience of victims of domestic abuse in the private law family court system.

Our office exists to put victims experiences and voices in front of decision makers, to help them make positive changes.

You can read our report into this important issue here- https://www.cvocni.org/publications/family-courts-research

and listen to Commissioner Designate Geraldine Hanna explain why we commissioned it in the first place below:

THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW BY DR. JAN MELIA OF THE DEATH OF KATIE SIMPSONThe Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime, Ge...
06/05/2026

THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW BY DR. JAN MELIA OF THE DEATH OF KATIE SIMPSON

The Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime, Geraldine Hanna, has said the review into the Katie Simpson investigation is a shocking catalogue of failings which will rock the confidence of all victims of crime.

“Women and girls deserve a justice system and safeguarding network that is alert to risk, responds to warning signs and acts decisively.”

While welcoming the independent review by Dr. Jan Melia, and the recommendations and commitment to a co-ordinated implementation, the Commissioner stressed that the review must be a turning point:

“Many of the issues identified in this report continue to be raised in more recent Domestic Homicide Reviews which suggests we are still not learning lessons quickly or consistently enough. It is not sufficient to express regret, there must be clear accountability across all agencies for progress and that work must be transparent, time bound and measurable. Coercive control must be treated as a serious risk indicator and potentially lethal form of abuse."

“Ultimately, my thoughts today are with Katie’s family and friends who will continue to carry the consequences of her death for the rest of their lives. For their sakes, and for the sake of public and victim confidence in our justice and safeguarding systems, it is essential that meaningful change is made by our police and our Health Trusts."

"Those changes should be transparent to the public and monitored to ensure that they are effecting the required cultural change to ensure something like this is never able to happen again. No family should ever have to hear again that an investigation into their loved one’s death was driven by premature assumptions, complacency, and institutional misogyny.”

https://www.cvocni.org/news/commissioner-victims-crime-ni-responds-independent-review-dr-jan-melia-death-katie-simpson

Commissioner Designate welcomes Finance Minister announcement on Jade’s Law for NIThe Commissioner Designate for Victims...
06/05/2026

Commissioner Designate welcomes Finance Minister announcement on Jade’s Law for NI

The Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime Geraldine Hanna has welcomed the announcement by Finance Minister John O’Dowd that he will bring forward legislation to introduce ‘Jade’s Law’ in Northern Ireland.

The law, introduced in England & Wales in the wake of the murder of Jade Ward by her ex-partner, automatically removes parental responsibility in the event of domestic homicide.

“It is difficult to fathom that under the current law, if a person murders their partner, or indeed attempts to murder them, they can still retain parental responsibility for their shared children. The government in England & Wales has responded to this appalling anomaly by introducing Jade’s Law, which will automatically suspend parental rights in the event of domestic homicide. I welcome that our Finance Minister has given his commitment to bring in a similar law here. I look forward to engaging with the Minister and the wider Assembly to ensure that our law provides the strongest protection for children in these circumstances."

https://www.cvocni.org/news/commissioner-designate-welcomes-finance-minister-announcement-jades-law-ni

Delighted to be in the Long Gallery in Stormont for the launch of the NI Survivor Council’s report. Great to see this ...
30/04/2026

Delighted to be in the Long Gallery in Stormont for the launch of the NI Survivor Council’s report. Great to see this next chapter unfolding for this group of motivated and determined survivors.

Address

Block 1, Knockview Buildings Stormont Estate
Belfast
BT43SJ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 8:15am - 5pm

Telephone

+442890526607

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Commissioner for Victims of Crime Northern Ireland posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Commissioner for Victims of Crime Northern Ireland:

Shortcuts

Share

Category