Claire Waxman

Claire Waxman is London’s first Victims Commissioner, working to improve the experience of victims of crime in the city. Claire has been a prominent and long-standing champion for victims’ rights, motivated by her own experiences of the justice process as a victim of crime over a 12 year period in which she was targeted by a fixated stalker. In 2011, Claire won a landmark case to overturn the decision not to prosecute her stalker. She was a key contributor to the successful campaign for change in stalking laws and in 2013 she founded campaign group Voice4Victims to continue the fight for improved legislation and support for all victims of crime. Voice4Victims proposed victims' rights amendments to the Policing and Crime Bill, passed in the House of Lords in 2016. In 2017 she secured a Government commitment for a 12 month timeframe to review victims' rights, with the aim of primary legislation. In 2016, Voice4Victims launched the Abuse of Process campaign which aims to tackle the escalating problem of victims being abused by perpetrators through legal platforms. They have also drafted the Sexual Offences Bill, to improve protection for victims of rape and sexual assault. As Victims Commissioner, Claire will be working with central government, the Met Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Ministry of Justice and victims themselves to ensure their voices are heard, and improve their experience of the criminal justice system. Claire will also support the development and delivery of the Mayor’s new victims’ strategy, and influence the development of services; making sure agencies meet their statutory responsibilities towards victims, tackling discriminatory behaviour that can create barriers to justice and support and putting specialist training in place.