Showing more consideration for the victims of crime sounds so easy doesn't it. Sara Payne wants the laws changed to make the legal system even more bias towards the "victims", to bring them more "Justice". I think the first thing anyone within the legal system must do is research the meaning of that word Justice.

If we had a truly Just system, each side (accused and accuser) would begin as equal sides in a dispute which would be decided on actual evidence. Instead we assume guilt from the start. This is shown by the way the accused is kept isolated and under guard in the dock. I like the American system where both sides sit on the same level and both have full access to their legal team throughout.

The fact is that there are more cases of false accusations (not just sexual) than are reported in the media, and in these cases the real victim is the person in the dock, branded guilty until proven otherwise.

I'm still appalled that someone who's grief has made them bitter and resentful can be appointed as a government advisor in such matters. She is too emotionally involved and it is very doubtful that she's capable of the balanced detachment required for such a sensitive and vital role.

Her appointment shows serious lack of judgement on the part of those who made the decision. It was a tabloid headline decision and had nothing to do with improving the legal system.

Totally with you Emma and she's quoted as saying too much time is spent catching and locking up perpetrators and more should be spent looking after victims - a real recipe for disaster.

More crimes, more victims, more chaos.

Stupid woman.

Totally ridiculous ideas by Sara Payne.

She is just a mouthpiece for some of New Labour's PC brigade. Poor women really has not got a clue about the Justice System.

The Justice System is in such a mess I dont think many people could actually fix it with a few suggestions or words. It has become a money making machine for all involved on a massive scale.

Second to the Banks and MPs expenses it is the biggest GRAVY TRAIN in the UK - and only bettered by the EU.

I am all for Sara Payne sitting on a discussion board about such things but to make her a prominent person in her own right subjects the poor women to more ridicule.

We need to get start arresting criminals and leaving innocent people alone. That would be a start. Then the rest of the system should become less dominated by legal jargon and by common sense. Both the accused and victims should have their rights respected but it should be balanced innocent until proven guilty. Sad to say there are many professional victims out there looking for attention.

What drives me crazy is that I've seen the problems at first hand; you would think someone in power would ask me for my opinion and observations but no; since I'm a convicted Vile Pervert, whether rightly or wrongly, the stoopid politicians are so afraid of the tabloid reaction they dare not ask me.

Fools.

spot on Emma Bee.

I have total sympathy for Sarah Payne but grief does extraordinary things to a person's thinking process.

It's why doctors will tell you to make no important life-changing decisions for at least a year after a tragedy.

Sarah Payne really shouldn't be advising on policy-it has to be done by non-partisan cool heads...with possibly victims giving insight into how their needs can be better catered for.

I like your idea of the US system where defendants are on an equal status in court. Once charged the odds are psychologically stacked against a person , innocent or guilty .