Understanding the Victim’s Journey: Highlights from this year’s NBCPA Conference
On Friday 18 October, The National Black Crown Prosecution Association (NBCPA) held its 23rd Annual Conference in Birmingham.
150 delegates came together to focus on this year’s theme: The Victim’s Journey. Attendees took part in engaging panel discussions that explored key challenges and sparked thoughtful debate, while interactive workshops provided spaces to examine issues and consider practical solutions.
There were many distinguished guest speakers at this year’s event, including:
·?????? Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson
·?????? Jess Phillips MP, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls
·?????? Grace Ononiwu CBE, Director of Legal Services, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
·?????? Baljit Ubhey OBE, Director of Strategy and Policy, CPS
This year’s conference aimed to deepen our understanding of the cultural nuances and diverse identities of victims, exploring the specific challenges they face. Delegates considered ways to enhance support and discussed how criminal justice agencies can provide more tailored engagement for victims and witnesses from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.
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This conference also helped support some of the CPS’s wider work on the Victim Transformation Programme, in response to the Crest Research Report. In June 2021, the CPS commissioned crime and justice specialists Crest Advisory to explore the type and level of support that victims need throughout their journey in the criminal justice system. Findings revealed that this journey is often unclear, and marginalised communities in particular may feel hesitant to engage. Cultural and language barriers can make it harder for some to understand the system and the role of the CPS within it.
We were also pleased to present the Profile in Courage award to Pooja and Nikita Kanda, the mother and sister of Ronan Kanda, a schoolboy who was stabbed to death in 2022 in a case of mistaken identity. These two outstanding individuals have shown exceptional courage and resilience in their work. This award honours those who display strength in advocating for truth and positive change, whether by influencing individual agencies, the broader criminal justice system, government or communities we serve.
Both were recognised for their remarkable work in the fight against knife crime. They have launched a campaign, Justice for Ronan Kanda, and worked alongside West Midlands Police on an initiative called ‘Let me tell you about Ronan Kanda’ which educates students on why people carry knives. Their work has drawn significant national media coverage, with both Pooja and Nikita being invited to the recent Labour Party Conference and the first annual Knife Crime Summit at 10 Downing Street, chaired by the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
As we reflect on the discussions and insights shared throughout the day, it’s clear there is still work to be done to make sure victims receive the support they need. As we move forward, we hope the conversations sparked at this conference will help us consider how we can make a lasting change in the criminal justice system.
The Home Office has recently launched an open consultation on ‘Knives and offensive weapons: personal liability measures on senior executives of online platforms or marketplaces’. The consultation is directly related to the work carried out by the family of Ronan Kanda and closes on Wednesday 11 December.
Nathan Miebai, NBCPA Chair and Senior District Crown Prosecutor, CPS
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Event organiser
3 个月I am a victim of DA/V and went through the system. I felt victimised in the High Court, mocked and traumatised. I sought help from everywhere, MP’s, the Home Office, CPS, the Last Prime Minister, and even the Queen. I received the most vague and unhelpful or no responses. I feel totally let down by everyone, lost, even more traumatised, flung out and left to suffer. I hoped to be heard in court and not be Gaslit and called a liar and even with valid evidence. I doubt the Black victim will ever receive equal understanding across the system and justice in the courts. I am proof of the sick bias.