Public confidence in the criminal justice system is low, and too few offenders are brought to justice. Improving services to victims and witnesses is key to solving both of these problems. Too often victims and witnesses are treated without due consideration, not kept properly informed, not provided with a sense of security, and not given the long-term support they need. A number of changes in recent years have begun to address these issues, including a victim support organization, the new Witness Service, and the introduction of the Victim Personal Statement. This strategy sets out the Government’s approach over the next 3 to 5 years to improving services to victims and witnesses. The three key priorities underpinning this aim are to reduce the adverse effects of crime on victims and witnesses, and to prevent secondary victimization; to encourage more victims and witnesses to come forward; and to offer more options to victims and witnesses, including alternatives to attendance at court. In order to reduce the adverse effects of crime on victims and witnesses, the plan is to provide for the very specific needs of certain victims such as children and rape victims; and ensure that the ordeal of appearing in court is minimized. To encourage more victims and witnesses to come forward, the plan is to increase public awareness of the vital role that witnesses play in bringing offenders to justice; and ensure that the police and local crime and disorder partnerships work together to tackle intimidation of victims and witnesses and provide protection when necessary. To offer more options to victims and witnesses, the plan will encourage the development of a wider range of options for redress available to victims; and encourage better links between criminal and civil proceedings.