Published date:
Victims of crime are being failed by a criminal justice system they do not trust, according to a new report published today by the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime Northern Ireland.
The findings of the 2025 Victim Survey paint a stark picture of low confidence levels among victims, with just one in five respondents expressing confidence in the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, while more than three quarters said they were not confident it would deliver justice.
The survey was carried out between September and December 2025 and gathered the experiences of 575 victims from across Northern Ireland. This was the largest response ever received and a 124% increase on the previous year.
The report reveals that 77% of victims are not confident in the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, 76% lack confidence in its fairness, and 80% were unaware of the Victim Charter, the document setting out their rights and entitlements.
The publication comes as the Commissioner Designate warned that victims' voices must not be overlooked during political debates ahead of next year’s election.
Geraldine Hanna, Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime, said:
"As we move towards the next Assembly election, I want to see victims' issues placed firmly at the heart of public debate. Every statistic in this report represents a real person whose life has been changed by crime.
“Victims deserve more than warm words. They deserve a justice system that listens, responds and delivers.
“Many victims will rightly be asking those who want to be elected to the Assembly next year – how are you going to deliver that?
"While there are some encouraging signs of improvement in parts of the system, these findings show there remains a significant gap between the experience many victims have and the standards they are entitled to expect. Confidence remains worryingly low and far too many victims feel unheard, uninformed and unsupported.
"The election campaign presents an opportunity for all parties to demonstrate how they will commit to a fair deal for victims. Justice matters in every community and every constituency across Northern Ireland."
Despite significant frustrations, many victims highlighted positive experiences with individual police officers, prosecutors and support organisations.
Today also marks the launch of the 2026 Victim Survey, with victims of all crime types once again invited to share their experiences of the criminal justice system, regardless of whether they reported the crime or not. The new survey is open from 7 October 2026 until 10 January 2027.
Geraldine Hanna added:
"The 2026 Victim Survey opens today, and I would encourage every victim of crime to take part. The more people who share their experiences, the stronger the case for meaningful change. Victims have told us that they want their voices heard.
“This survey provides an opportunity to ensure those voices are heard loud and clear as politicians from all parties gear up for the election next year."
The full Victim Survey Report 2025 and details of how to participate in the 2026 Victim Survey are available at www.cvocni.org.