Statement on the Independent Sentencing Review
We recognise the strain on our criminal justice system—but it cannot come at the cost of survivors’ safety.
Survivors have told us time and again what they need: to be heard, to be safe, and to see real change. A criminal justice system that delivers on those needs will not only reduce reoffending—it will start to rebuild the confidence so many have lost.
Sentencing reform must do more than reduce pressure on prisons. It must strengthen protection for those most at risk. Survivors of domestic abuse already face a justice system in which too few perpetrators are charged, let alone convicted. Proposals to release offenders earlier—some after serving just a third of their sentence—risk further eroding the fragile trust many survivors have in the system.
We echo the concerns raised by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner that reducing time served for serious offences like domestic abuse sends the wrong message: that abuse can be committed with minimal consequence. This is especially dangerous when survivors are managing ongoing risk, including coercive control and post-separation abuse.
We also support the London Victims’ Commissioner’s warning that behaviour in custody does not equate to risk in the community—particularly in crimes targeted at specific individuals, like domestic abuse, child sexual abuse, and stalking. Early release models must not be applied blindly. Survivors must be notified in good time, and decisions must prioritise their safety, not system convenience.
The proposal to introduce a ‘domestic abuse flag’ at sentencing is a step in the right direction. Recording judicial findings will allow police, the Probation Service and other agencies to identify cases formally recorded as domestic abuse, helping them to more easily track domestic abuse offenders, understand the risks they present and ensure the right interventions are in place to protect victims and the wider public. But for this to have real impact, it must trigger multi-agency safeguarding responses through Marac, interventions such as Drive Project, and specialist Idva support—ensuring risk is recognised and managed at every stage.
We welcome the Review’s recommendation that interventions, such as accredited offender behaviour programmes, should be proven to be effective and that the Probation Service should have the necessary resources to deliver them. We highlighted in our submission that whilst the two-week additional programme added on to those charged with domestic abuse offences is welcome, this must be designed with specialist sector knowledge and input on what interventions with perpetrators are effective and cannot just be strengths-based interventions.
It is also good to see the acknowledgment that judicial training on violence against women and girls must be regular, mandatory, trauma-informed and cover all forms of VAWG and domestic abuse. Understanding the nature, impact, and patterns of domestic abuse must be a vital baseline requirement for anyone responsible for making life-altering decisions in court.
We also welcome the Review’s recommendation to improve how sentencing is communicated to victims. Survivors tell us they need clear, timely information and support they can rely on. That means better collaboration and information-sharing between agencies, consistent contact throughout the justice process, and staff who are trained to respond in a trauma-informed way.
Our Pioneers have highlighted how important this is—particularly when Victim Liaison Officer involvement ends. Survivors must be clearly signposted to further support, so they are not left to navigate alone. With the right approach, victims can begin to move forward—not defined solely by what they’ve survived but supported as people with lived experience and strength.
We look forward to a time when these recommendations are fully implemented right at the heart of the justice system and survivors can have trust in the system which should be serving them and keeping them safe from harm.