An independent reviewer is seeking answers directly from Islanders as part of a major examination of how the family justice system handles allegations of abuse and violence.
Hannah Markham KC was appointed to conduct an independent review, a recommendation from the Taskforce on Violence Against Women and Girls.
She is due to focus on how the family justice system responds to cases where there are allegations of domestic abuse or violence.
Insights will be “invaluable”
Ms Markham said she was “keen” to hear directly from those affected, adding: “Their insights are invaluable in helping to understand how the system operates in practice and where changes and or improvements may be needed.
“Their experiences will further inform the work already ongoing and add to the views from professionals working on Island. All contributions will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.”
Interviews are due to be held confidentially and in a private, non-government setting.
Ms Markham’s report is expected to be published later this year. It follows a report into Jersey’s criminal justice system, led by Eleanor Laws KC and published in February.
After conducting in-depth interviews with survivors, Ms Laws found that abuse victims didn’t trust the criminal justice system and that they felt “unimportant and disengaged from the whole process”.
She made 18 recommendations to tackle delays, confusion and frustrations faced by victims.
CAN YOU HELP?
Ms Markham will be in Jersey to conduct interviews on 22, 24, 25 and 26 June, and anyone who would like to speak to her in a confidential interview should contact her at H.Markham@gov.je.
