was initially appointed to
the role without competition for a year from 17 October 2023 to
allow for a further campaign fill the role substantively.
The Lord Chancellor decided not to continue with that
campaign. Following consultation with the Attorney General
and Home Secretary, the Lord Chancellor will readvertise the role
later in 2024 with revised criteria which reflect the
government's vision for a strengthened role. To ensure there is
no gap in cover in this vital role, The Lord Chancellor has
extended Baroness Newlove's term until 31 December 2025.
The Victims' Commissioner independently promotes the interests of
victims and witnesses, encourages good practice in their
treatment, and regularly reviews the Victims' Code which sets out
the services victims can expect to receive.
Biography of the Victims' Commissioner:
- Baroness Helen Newlove is a community reform campaigner and
activist. She came to prominence after her husband Garry Newlove
was murdered outside the family home by a gang of youths, all
alcohol and drug-fuelled, in 2007. After his death she campaigned
to tackle anti-social behaviour and the underage and binge
drinking culture.
-
was given a peerage in
the 2010 Dissolution Honours list and sits in the House of
Lords as of Warrington in the
County of Cheshire.
- She originally took up the post of Victims' Commissioner on 4
March 2013, was reappointed for a second term in March 2016, and
stepped down on 31 May 2019. She was succeeded by Dame .
- On 5 March 2018, took up the office of
Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords.
- On 17 October 2023, was appointed as the
government's Victims' Commissioner for a term of 12 months.
This appointment is made by the Secretary of State under Section
48 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, and is
regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The
appointment has been made in line with the Governance Code on
Public Appointments.
