Claire Waxman appointed as next Victims’ Commissioner

She is currently serving as London’s first Independent Victims’ Commissioner, a role she has held since 2017.

Ms Waxman will serve as an independent voice for victims and witnesses. The Commissioner is expected to act as an advisor to ministers on victim policy, champion victims’ interests and hold the Government and justice agencies to account. Her duties will include promoting victim interests, encouraging good practice in their treatment, and keeping the Victims’ Code under review.

In the capital, she has been instrumental in placing survivors’ voices at the centre of policing plans, improving the Metropolitan Police Service support for victims, and campaigning for greater support for those affected by stalking.

She has also directly impacted change at a national level. This includes the publication of two rape reviews, which led to the development of Operation Soteria – a national operation to transform how the police and criminal justice system address rape and serious sexual offences.

Her review into the Victims’ Code of Practice led to the Government reforming the Victims’ Code in 2021. Ms Waxman has also lobbied for key legislative change through the Domestic Abuse Bill, Policing Bill, and Victims and Prisoners Bill, and called for radical change in handling victims mobile phone data and sensitive information.

Recently, she published the London Victims Attrition review which highlighted a national failure to deliver justice for victims, with 40 per cent dropping out of the process after reporting with many feeling forced out.

Ms Waxman put forward a number of recommendations aimed at transforming the criminal justice system’s response to victims.

She was appointed OBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours for services to victims of crime.

Ms Waxman, who will formally take up the post from January 1, 2026, said: “It is a true honour to be appointed as the next Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales.

“Over the years, I have worked tirelessly to champion the voices of victims, survivors, and bereaved families – ensuring they are heard, better protected and supported, and that their experiences help to shape meaningful change across the justice system.

“At this critical time, as we seek to deliver swifter justice and more accessible support, I look forward to continuing my work on a national scale to advocate for all victims and drive forward the much-needed progress that victims deserve.”

Baroness Newlove, who will remain as Commissioner until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition, welcomed news of the appointment: “I am delighted that Claire Waxman will be my successor as Victims’ Commissioner.

“Having worked together for years, I know first-hand that her experience as an unwavering voice for victims in London will make her a powerful advocate for change on the national stage.

“I am proud of the work we have done to place the experiences of victims at the heart of the justice system, and I am confident Claire will build on this work with her passion and dedication. I wish her all the very best as she begins her term in the new year.”

In response to the appointment, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners victims leads, Clare Moody and Matthew Scott, said: “We congratulate Claire Waxman OBE on her appointment and welcome her to the role of Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales.

“With her years of experience as London’s Victims Commissioner, she is well placed to strengthen support for victims around the country and deliver better outcomes across all communities.

“As Claire takes up her post, we look forward to building a strong partnership, with police and crime commissioners commissioning high-quality victims’ support services and leading initiatives that ensure victims receive the care they deserve, alongside a strong commitment to ensuring perpetrators are held to account and work to prevent crimes from happening in the first place.

“With her extensive experience and strong commitment to supporting victims, Claire Waxman is a committed and experienced partner in advancing this shared mission and ensuring that victims remain at the heart of everything we do.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I want to thank Claire Waxman for her tireless work in support of victims of crime in London over the last eight years, and her relentless commitment which has brought significant changes in the capital and across the country.

“Her work directly led to the development of Operation Soteria which is transforming the way police and the CPS investigate and prosecute rape. She has championed the causes of bereaved families and survivors of crime, securing key changes to Parliamentary Bills ensuring offenders must attend sentencings or face consequences, and that victims receive better access to sentencing remarks and improved rights and entitlements.

“Claire has always been clear that all victims of crime, no matter their status or experience, should be able to engage with a service designed to help them cope and recover. I know that in her new role, she will continue the vital work she has done in London to build a criminal justice system that is fit for purpose and provide victims with the highest quality of support.”