Stalking victims can challenge soft sentences under new plans from the Ministry of Justice
Theresa May backs the shake-up and says it's important to 'enshrine victims' right in law'
STALKING victims are to be able to challenge soft justice verdicts for the first time under new Ministry of Justice plans.
Stalking, harassment and sharing of indecent images are to be added to a list of crimes where the Attorney General can be asked to review a case and demand a tougher sentence.
It’s another for the Sun’s Stop A Stalker campaign.
The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme already covers crime such as rape and sexual assault. New terror offences were added to the list in January.
Unveiling a new Victims Strategy on Monday, Justice Secretary David Gauke will also spell out plans to give victims of major disasters such as the Grenfell Tower blaze extra support in the future.
And he vows to review the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme after critics warned some victims are unfairly denied payouts – through time limits or restrictions on claims from those with criminal records.
A bar on financial awards to victims if they lived in the same home as their attacker before 1979 will also be abolished.
Theresa May backed the shake-up Sunday and said it was vital to “enshrine victims’ rights in law for the very first time”.
She said: “The duty of a government is to keep people safe, but it is not enough to simply bring offenders to court. Victims need to know they are protected and listened to, and we will continue to work with charities and support groups to improve their experience.”