Sara Payne MBE appointed Victims' Champion
Jon has welcomed the appointment of Sara Payne MBE to the position of Victims’ Champion.
After the murder of her daughter Sarah, Ms Payne started a campaign to change the way in which sex offenders are dealt with and looked after in the community. Ms Payne worked closely with the Home Office on increasing the right of public access to information about known sex offenders and was also instrumental in establishing the Multi Agency Protection Arrangement (MAPPA) which ensures that a risk management plan is drawn up for the most serious offenders.
Ms Payne currently delivers training to police specially trained Family Liaison Officers and has recently been awarded an MBE for her services to protection and work with
The role of Victim’ Champion will last for one year while the Government considers the appointment of a permanent Victims and Witnesses Commissioner. During her appointment, Sarah Payne (who was made an MBE in the New Years Honours) will:
· listen to the views and concerns of victims and witnesses;
· work with and learn from the experience of Victim Support who provide emotional and practical help to over 1.5 million victims and witnesses every year;
· represent the views of victims and witnesses to Ministers, Government officials and in the media;
· challenge criminal justice agencies to further reform their practices in relation to victims and witnesses;
· Act in an advisory role on victim’s issues and prepare the foundations for the appointment of the Victim’s Commissioner in 2010.
Jon said:
‘It is right that victims of crime are placed at the centre of the process and this is a step in ensuring a balanced and fair system. There must be a voice for victims and Sara Payne – through her own experiences and tireless campaigning – will be a very effective champion of victims of crime.’
Sara Payne said:
“Over the last eight years I have been asking for victims to have a louder voice, and for the Government to listen more closely to what they have to say. I am very proud I will now be their champion, and welcome my appointment to this very important role. I look forward to brining the voice of victims and witnesses to the heart of Government.”
Photograph sourced from BBC/PA