Letter: Deliberative polling involves ordinary citizens in democratic process

Sir: It's a pity that the world's first deliberative poll looked at almost every aspect of crime and punishment apart from victims of crime.

The electorate could have been asked to consider many issues involving the treatment of victims and victims' rights, including how victims should be compensated for crime, whether victims should directly influence sentencing, the treatment of rape victims, the role of victims in court, and mediation between victims and offenders.

All too often victims of crime are left off the crime agenda. The Independent could have helped to redress the balance.

Yours faithfully,

HELEN REEVES

Director

Victim Support

London, SW9

9 May