Barbados must move beyond simply prosecuting offenders and place greater focus on supporting victims.

That was the case put by Minister of Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice Michael Lashley, as Government moves to strengthen the country’s criminal justice system through major reforms.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day National Consultation On Victim Support at the Radisson Aquatica Resort, St Michael, yesterday, he said victims often faced significant emotional, psychological and practical challenges after crimes were committed against them, yet there was no coordinated national mechanism dedicated to guiding and supporting them through the process.