CPS Introduces Dedicated Liaison Officers for All Domestic Abuse Victims Across the UK

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is set to establish its Universal Service for victims and Enhanced Service for survivors of domestic abuse as a permanent fixture across all CPS Areas in England and Wales. This significant enhancement will introduce victim liaison officers to all victims of domestic abuse for the first time. Following successful pilot schemes, including one in Mersey-Cheshire, these officers will offer improved support to victims throughout the judicial process, from the moment charges are laid to the conclusion of the trial. Previously, such dedicated support was limited to victims of rape and sexual offences.

National Rollout of Enhanced Support Services

This rollout is a key component of the CPS’s Victim Transformation Programme (VTP). The announcement was made during a visit to Liverpool by the Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, who engaged with senior leaders from JUSTICE North. She participated in a roundtable discussion with various local and national charities and organisations dedicated to supporting victims of crime, particularly survivors of domestic abuse.

The Attorney General emphasised the necessity of trust in the justice system, highlighting that victims must perceive it as functioning effectively for them, irrespective of their location. This visit formed part of her ongoing efforts to gather insights from frontline charities and services, aimed at restoring public confidence in the criminal justice system.

Ellie Reeves KC MP stated, “The criminal justice system only works if victims’ voices are at its heart. They need to be heard, supported, and treated with dignity throughout the process, not just at trial. I’ve frequently heard from victims and frontline organisations about what constitutes effective communication and where the system still falls short.”

Improved Communication for Victims

The introduction of victim liaison officers will provide survivors with enhanced support from the point charges are made through to the trial. This initiative is a central feature of the CPS’s national rollout of the Victim Transformation Programme. The Universal Service aims to offer all victims more frequent and higher-quality communication from the CPS, while the Enhanced Service will ensure additional support for victims of domestic abuse, tailored to their preferred method of contact—be it via phone, email, or post.

Both pilot schemes, which have been in operation since 2023, include the one in Mersey-Cheshire, where the Attorney General also met with CPS frontline teams involved in the implementation of these initiatives. She acknowledged that the decision to expand both services nationally was driven by consistent feedback from victims regarding the importance of effective communication and a clearer understanding of their cases.

Community Engagement and Victim-Centric Approaches

Emphasising the significance of community engagement, the Attorney General remarked, “What works for victims in one part of the country won’t always look the same elsewhere, which is why it’s so important to get out of Westminster and hear directly from people about what justice and accountability means to them.” She noted that discussions with individuals who have direct experience of the justice system, as well as frontline and legal experts, would inform her ongoing commitment to prioritising victims and addressing the mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

Fiona Rutherford, Chief Executive of JUSTICE North, expressed her gratitude for the Attorney General’s visit, stating, “We were delighted to welcome the Attorney General to JUSTICE North to discuss the experiences of victims. JUSTICE North exists to bridge the gap between Westminster and the region. The North is at the forefront of justice innovation, as evidenced by the decision to make the successful Mersey-Cheshire pilots permanent. Expanding these initiatives should ensure victims across the country receive the essential support they need.”

Challenges Faced by Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Ayla Nasuh, Chief Executive of Merseyside Domestic Violence Service, shared her thoughts on the meeting with the Attorney General, stating, “We were pleased to share the experiences of victims and survivors across Liverpool. It is crucial that when survivors of domestic abuse seek help, they are believed and provided with urgent support. Too often, survivors are burdened with the exhausting task of repeatedly reporting and evidencing abuse without witnessing meaningful actions that disrupt the harmful behaviours.”

She further expressed hope that the Government would collaborate with frontline services to ensure the justice system acknowledges cumulative harm and acts swiftly to safeguard victims.

Overview of the Victim Transformation Programme

The Victim Transformation Programme was initiated by the CPS in 2022 to enhance the experience of victims within the criminal justice system. This initiative arose from evidence indicating a desire for clearer, more timely, and empathetic communication from the CPS. The Universal Service was piloted in regions including Yorkshire and Humberside, Mersey-Cheshire, and Wessex, while the Enhanced Service for victims of domestic abuse was trialled in several areas, including London boroughs and parts of Wessex. The expansion of these services aims to build upon the existing support provided by the CPS to families bereaved by crime and victims of serious sexual offences.

Moreover, the government’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy outlines a mission to reduce violence against women and girls by half within a decade. This strategy includes measures like Raneem’s Law, which integrates domestic abuse specialists into 999 control rooms and has been implemented across multiple police forces, including Merseyside Police. Earlier this year, an additional £5 million in funding was secured to facilitate pilot pre-trial meetings at the Crown Court for adult victims of domestic abuse across three CPS areas, including Mersey-Cheshire.

JUSTICE North, hosted by the Liverpool law firm Broudie Jackson Canter, serves as a regional initiative of JUSTICE, the independent law reform charity established in 2025. Its purpose is to ensure that justice policy reflects the unique challenges and opportunities within the North of England and to foster closer collaboration between local and national decision-makers regarding justice devolution. The inaugural report on justice devolution, titled “Closer to Home: Principles for a Justice System Shaped by Communities,” was published in April 2026.