MOSCOW, January 27 (Sputnik) — UK justice agencies ignored and confused crime victims who wanted to issue complaints about how they were treated, the UK Victims' Commissioner said in a report Tuesday.
"It is shocking how many victims told me how ignored, dismissed and confused they felt when they tried to raise concerns about their treatment," Victims' Commissioner Baroness Helen Newlove said in a statement for the report.
Over 75 percent of those questioned said they were dissatisfied with the responses they received from justice agencies, while 50 percent found the complaint process difficult to use.
The victims said they did not know to whom and how to make complaints. Justice agencies also did not outline to the victims their entitlements under the United Kingdoms Victims' Code.
One victim was quoted as telling Newlove she was frightened of being harassed if she made a complaint.
According to the report, there was also a gap in what the justice agencies reported verses what the crime victims said.
"That is why I have set out very clear standards which I expect Government and all criminal justice agencies to follow when addressing concerns from victims," the Baroness said in reference to the guidelines issued in the report.
The guidelines stipulate that agencies clearly explain to the victims the process of filing a complaint and how follow up will be done. The agencies will also be required to publish information illustrating their service performance.
