Citation and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Victim Support (Specified Roles) Regulations 2025.

(2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales.

Commencement

2.—(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (2), these Regulations come into force on 9th May 2025.

(2) Regulation 6 comes into force on 2nd February 2026.

Interpretation

3. In these Regulations, “ the Act ” means the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 .

Independent domestic violence advisers

4.—(1) The role of independent domestic violence adviser is specified for the purposes of section 16 of the Act.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a)the role of an independent domestic violence adviser is to provide independent support to individuals who are victims of criminal conduct which constitutes domestic abuse, where the support provided relates to that conduct;

(b) “ domestic abuse ” has the meaning given by Part 1 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 ( 2 ).

Independent sexual violence advisers

5.—(1) The role of an independent sexual violence adviser is specified for the purposes of section 16 of the Act.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation, the role of an independent sexual violence adviser is to provide independent support to individuals who are victims of criminal conduct of a sexual nature, where the support provided relates to that conduct.

Independent stalking advocates

6.—(1) The role of an independent stalking advocate is specified for the purposes of section 16 of the Act.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a)the role of an independent stalking advocate is to provide independent support to individuals who are victims of criminal conduct which involves acts associated with stalking;

(b)the reference to acts associated with stalking is to be read in accordance with section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997(3).