NCJ Number
194073
Date Published
1999
Length
17 pages
Annotation
After reviewing the history and rationale of Great Britain's victim compensation scheme, this consultation paper considers issues pertinent to deciding whether the amount of the awards to victims should be changed for various offense types, how any increases might be funded, and resource constraints; the purpose of this paper is to frame these issues so as to solicit informed comment on ways in which the compensation scheme might be changed for the benefit of crime victims within resource constraints.
Abstract
Comment is solicited on whether the changes in award amounts suggested by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel should be made and whether awards for sexual/child abuse cases should be increased, along with awards in fatal cases. The paper also asks for comments on whether any other changes should be made to the amount of awards and, if so, what these changes should be and for what purpose. The paper also asks for comment on whether reflating the award bands should be a priority and, if so, how this might be funded. Comment is sought on whether the scheme's priorities should be changed, whether those injured as a result of alcohol or drug abuse should be excluded from the scheme, whether the lower limit of the scheme should be raised by cutting out some of the lower tariff bands to release money for other changes, and whether there are any other ways in which costs might be redistributed to the advantage of victims as a whole. Background information is provided to inform each of these solicitations for comment.