Just 7% of crime victims believe that Northern Ireland’s justice system can deliver for them, a survey has found.
Nearly two-thirds (63%) said police did not investigate their case properly and half were dissatisfied with how they were treated by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
The shock findings have been described as “nothing short of an SOS from victims of crime”.
The Commissioner for Victims of Crime’s survey canvassed opinions over a seven-month period to March.
The 166 responses covered a broad range of victims.
Some 63% of those surveyed felt their crime was not investigated thoroughly enough, while only 31% said they were treated fairly and with respect.
Based on their experience, 43% stated they would not report a crime to the police again.
And 50% said they were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the PPS.
In terms of the court system, 29% of respondents waited more than three years after reporting the crime for their case to be heard, while 77% reported not being given enough support during the court process.
Victims were surveyed on their overall experience with the criminal justice system, with 65% of respondents saying they were not at all confident in its effectiveness.
Only 7% expressed confidence in its effectiveness, with 88% of those surveyed saying they had little confidence in receiving justice. One victim who took part in the survey said their experience was “so damaging” and they “felt like a small fish in a tank full of sharks who were always circling”.
“I would not want anyone else to be treated the way I was,” they added.
Geraldine Hanna, Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime, said: “These results are nothing short of an SOS from victims of crime.
“Sadly this is not surprising and reinforces what we have heard from victims before.
“This has to be a wake-up call to every part of our system.
“From our elected leaders, through to the criminal justice agencies, we need a fundamental change on how victims of crime are treated here.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the failure in the care and support of victims has contributed to the poor confidence levels that victims have in the system and its ability to deliver justice.”
Ms Hanna said that, while there was some positive feedback from victims, the overall view was that of the “inconsistent delivery of basic services”.
“There are challenges for our criminal justice system when it comes to resources, but there are ways we must improve,” she said.
“We need legislative change to better protect victim’s privacy rights when it comes to the disclosure of third party information and changes to sentencing laws.
“We also need a commitment from Westminster that we will have a funding model that supports a criminal justice system fit for purpose.
“But on a simpler level, we have to look at how our system is consistently not getting the basics right and that’s not good enough.
“Behind these results are real people who have shown amazing bravery in coming forward and telling their stories.
“I truly hope those in positions of power and influence heed this SOS message from victims of crime and make the changes we so desperately need.”
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “While the views of this small sample of respondents are disappointing, the most recent Policing Plan survey commissioned by the Northern Ireland Policing Board in 2023 found that 91% of those who took part would feel confident contacting the Police Service of Northern Ireland and seven in 10 people were satisfied with the job the police service do, while two thirds were confident in the Police Service’s ability to protect and serve.
“As a victim-focused service our officers and staff have worked tirelessly to keep people safe and tackle the issues that matter to the communities we serve, against a backdrop of increasingly limited resources and growing demand.
“As highlighted in the draft Policing Plan 2025 – 2030 which was recently launched for public consultation, ensuring that we are victim-focused is one of the key outcomes against which the delivery of effective policing will be measured.
“We have a close working relationship and I look forward to continue working with the Commissioner Designate to understand in more detail the issues outlined in the survey.
“Ensuring that victims of crime feel listened to and supported and they have the confidence to come forward and report crime to police.”