The duty to issue a Code of Practice (the Victims’ Code) and the procedure for doing so are already set out in primary legislation. The current provisions are sections 32 to 34 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. This Act repeals and restates these provisions in the 2004 Act with amendments, in addition to setting out the key principles that must be reflected in the services provided for in the Victims’ Code and giving the Secretary of State a power to make regulations setting out further matters which the Victims’ Code must reflect. It also includes a new procedure for making minor amendments to the Victims’ Code.
Legal background The Victims’ Code