Justice Secretary Dominic Raab will promise to “transform” how the justice system handles violence against women, acknowledging the profound effect of the murder of those such as Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa.
In his speech to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester on Tuesday, Mr Raab – who is also the deputy prime minister following last month’s cabinet reshuffle – will say: “We will transform the way the justice system treats violence against women.
“We will take the Victims’ Code, and turn that guidance into law, to make sure that in every case, for every victim, their voice is heard, and they see justice done.”
The Victims’ Code focuses on victims’ rights and sets out the minimum standard that organisations must provide to victims of crime.
Mr Raab is expected to add that his “number one priority” is “making our communities safer, so that women can walk home at night, without having to look over their shoulder”.
Also on Tuesday at the Conservative conference, Home Secretary Priti Patel will refuse to use the name of Ms Everard’s killer as she describes how she has “redoubled my efforts” to ensure women and girls feel safer.
“The safety and security of our citizens is paramount. Without safety and security, there can be no freedom,” she is expected to say.
“Our approach to crime will always be based upon seeking justice for victims and survivors, whilst ensuring perpetrators feel the full force of the law.
“I know all our thoughts remain with Sarah Everard’s family and friends. Her murderer, whose name I refuse to repeat, was a monster. His explicit intention was to instil fear and terror in women and girls.
“I say this as home secretary, but also as a woman. Such unconscionable crimes and acts of violence against women and girls have no place in our society.
“And that is why I have redoubled my efforts to ensure women and girls feel safer.”
Mr Raab will also announce a “major increase” in the use of electronic monitoring of criminals to reduce crime.
Nearly double the number of offenders will be tagged across England and Wales in a bid to protect their victims and cut reoffending.
Under his plans, almost 26,000 extra offenders will be tagged over the next three years at a cost of £183m.
This will include 10,000 more thieves and burglars being fitted with GPS tags as they come out of prison.
A conviction has recently been made using location data to pin a thief to the scene of further crimes and there is an intention to roll out GPS tagging nationwide, if it’s successful at curbing crime and helping police catch offenders.
Meanwhile, alcohol monitoring tags will be used on more than 12,000 prison leavers known to commit crimes when under the influence of drink.
It is hoped this will help keep them off alcohol altogether or limit their drinking to reduce the risk of them reoffending.
The expansion of sobriety tags follows their use on offenders serving community sentences since last October, in an attempt to help cut the £22bn cost of alcohol-related crime.
The £183m extra investment will see the number of people tagged at any one time rise from around 13,500 this year to approximately 25,000 by 2025.
Ahead of his conference speech, Mr Raab said: “This major increase in high-tech GPS tagging will see us leading the world in using technology to fight crime and keep victims safe.
“From tackling alcohol-fuelled violence and burglary to protecting domestic abuse victims, we are developing tags to make our streets and communities safer.”
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The justice secretary will also use his conference speech to announce a £90m plan to increase the community work – such as cleaning up streets, housing estates and other open spaces – carried out by offenders to around eight million hours per year.
The funding will be used to recruit 500 more unpaid community work supervisors and develop new national partnerships between the Probation Service and major organisations.
A deal with the Canal and River Trust will see offenders clear litter, tidy tow paths and maintain beauty spots along the 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales.