Boost for victims of violence

Justice Minister David Ford believes the new Offender Levy – with offenders paying additional money specifically for services to victims – will enhance existing support arrangements.

Part of the Justice Act which the Minister took through the Assembly last year, the Offender Levy compels offenders to pay between £5 and £50 into a dedicated Victims of Crime Fund as part of their sentence or fine.

The Minister said: “Over the past two years, I have introduced a number of reforms to improve services to victims and witnesses across the justice system.

“The introduction of the Offender Levy and the Victims of Crime Fund – in which those who commit a crime make a contribution to services provided for victims and witnesses – reinforces the work we are already doing in this area.

“There is no such thing as a victimless crime and the imposition of this levy will reinforce to the offender the impact their actions have on others.”

The Offender Levy will apply to adult offenders sentenced at Court or issued with one of the new Penalty Notices by the PSNI for a range of offences, announced last week. Prisoners who refuse to pay will have deductions taken directly from their prison earnings.

Mr Ford said: “The Government already invests significant resources in delivering quality services to victims and witnesses of crime. Money generated from the Offender Levy will provide an additional revenue stream to be used solely for victim and witness services.

“Through the creation of a dedicated Victims of Crime Fund, funding will be available to support projects for victims and witnesses in the justice process, as well as for local initiatives taken forward by groups working with victims in the community.”