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CICA Response to NAO Report on Compensating Victims of Violent Crime

CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION AUTHORITY News Release issued by The Government News Network on 14 December 2007

Media Statement

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) has today issued a statement in response to the publication of the National Audit Office (NAO) report Compensating victims of violent crime.

Carole Oatway, Chief Executive of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, said:

"The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) welcomes the publication of today's National Audit Office report as a key contribution to the work already underway to improve its performance.

"Victims of violent crime who apply for compensation deserve a good standard of service from CICA. In 2006 it was recognised that the Authority's service had declined and major changes were instigated to improve performance.

"We have therefore already started addressing many of the issues raised in today's report and have worked closely with the NAO. We are pleased it recognises the changes we have introduced 'are already bringing improvements'.

"As CICA's incoming Chief Executive, it is my responsibility to drive forward these improvements. We are confident that by working closely with our partners in the Criminal Justice System, we will ensure that the people who come to us receive a faster, fairer service. We know that for many innocent victims of violent crime, a compensation payment from CICA is one of the key things they receive to show that society recognises what they have suffered."

Notes to editors

1. Carole Oatway joined the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority as Chief Executive on 28 September 2007.

2. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a non-departmental public body operating under the Ministry of Justice. It is based in Glasgow and administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2001 on behalf of the government. It pays out compensation to innocent victims of violent crime with injuries sustained in England, Scotland or Wales:

* Each year, the CICA receives about 60,000 applications for compensation and pays out around £200 million in awards.

* The size of the award is fixed by a "tariff" system which was introduced in 1996 and updated in 2001.

* There are 25 levels of awards within the scheme ranging from £1,000 to £250,000, depending on the severity of the injury sustained.

* In serious cases, additional compensation is available to help cover lost earnings and medical and care expenses.

* The highest award CICA can make in any case, including the tariff payment and additional lost earnings and care costs, is £500,000.

3. To be eligible for compensation from CICA, you must:

* be a blameless victim of a violent crime;

* be physically or mentally injured as a result;

* have sustained the injury in England, Scotland or Wales;

* be injured seriously enough to qualify for the smallest award paid under the scheme - £1,000;

* be a dependant or the parent, child or partner of a victim of violent crime who has since died.

4. Please note that CICA is based in Glasgow.