The trouble is, it doesn't go directly to the 'victims' but to 'victim services'. Apart from the percentage that gets swallowed up in administration costs, there is a significant amount of unpaid compensation out there.
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Originally Posted by The BBC
The levy has raised nearly £4m in 2007/8 and £8m in 2008/9 for several victim services including Victim Support, the Victims Fund and the Crown Prosecution Service's witness care.
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Originally Posted by The BBC
John Thornhill, chairman of the Magistrates' Association, criticised the levy system, saying the money was going to victim support agencies, rather than the victims themselves.
His association is calling for a victim fund to be established so that when magistrates order for compensation to be paid to a victim, it can be paid in full immediately.
"There's £40m of unpaid compensation so if you were a victim and awarded compensation, the chances of receiving that compensation are very, very low," he said.
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