Prospective
(1)The Secretary of State must issue guidance about specified victim support roles performed—
(a)in England, and
(b)subject to subsection (2), in Wales.
(2)Guidance under this section must not relate to a matter provision about which would be within the legislative competence of Senedd Cymru if it were contained in an Act of the Senedd (ignoring any requirement for the consent of a Minister of the Crown imposed under Schedule 7B to the Government of Wales Act 2006).
(3)In this section—
“specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State;
“victim support role” means a role performed by individuals which involves the provision of support to victims of criminal conduct (where the support relates to that conduct).
(4)A victim support role may be specified by reference to (among other matters)—
(a)the circumstances in which the role is performed;
(b)the type of support provided in connection with the role;
(c)the type of criminal conduct in relation to which such support is provided.
(5)Guidance under this section about a victim support role must include provision about—
(a)the support provided in connection with the role;
(b)training and qualifications for individuals who perform the role;
(c)how individuals who perform the role, and other persons who have functions relating to victims or any aspect of the criminal justice system, work together.
(6)Guidance under this section must (where relevant) make provision in relation to victims who are under the age of 18 or who have protected characteristics within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010.
(7)Any person who has functions of a public nature relating to victims, or any aspect of the criminal justice system, must have regard to guidance under this section where—
(a)the person is exercising such a function, and
(b)the guidance is relevant to the exercise of that function.
(8)Subsection (7) does not apply to—
(a)anything done by any person acting in a judicial capacity, or on the instructions of or on behalf of such a person;
(b)a devolved Welsh authority, within the meaning of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (see section 157A of that Act).
Commencement Information
I1S. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 81(2)