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Ministers are fast-tracking work on a victims’ bill in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder, Government sources said last night.
Amid an overwhelming political clamour for action to better protect women and girls, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab yesterday vowed that the issue was his ‘number one priority’.
Asked what would change as a result of Miss Everard’s death, Government sources said a victims’ bill to strengthen the rights of those in the position of Miss Everard’s family would be published soon. It will enshrine in law the rights of victims to give impact statements and increase support for those who have suffered abuse.
Home Office sources also pointed to the strategy to combat violence against women and girls which was announced last summer.
Amid an overwhelming political clamour for action to better protect women and girls, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab yesterday vowed that the issue was his ‘number one priority’
A consultation on the strategy was extended following Miss Everard’s death, resulting in 180,000 additional responses.
But last night MPs demanded ‘concrete’ action on the issue, saying the country faced a ‘seminal moment’ with an opportunity to take meaningful action.
It is understood that the Government will take no immediate action to improve police vetting procedures, with the Home Office wanting to wait for
