Mayor announces Andrea Simon as new Victims’ Commissioner for London
- Leading VAWG and trafficking campaigner to take up role championing rights of crime victims in the capital.
- New London Victims’ Commissioner brings extensive experience in victim care, partnerships, policy and human rights.
- Andrea Simon will work alongside Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to ensure that the voice of victims remains at the heart of the work of the police and criminal justice system.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced today the appointment of Andrea Simon as the next independent London Victims’ Commissioner.
Andrea Simon takes up the role after five years as the Director of End Violence Against Women (EVAW) – a national coalition of more than 160 women’s support organisations, expert researchers and survivors working to end violence against women and girls (VAWG) in all its forms. During her time at the head of EVAW she has led a diverse coalition that's secured numerous changes to law and policy that benefit victims – as well as driving a broader focus on prevention of abuse and addressing inequalities for victims within this work. Most recently, EVAW helped to successfully lobby the Government for changes in law to make the trial process fairer for victims of rape by restricting victims’ counselling records and previous experiences of rape and sexual violence from being used against them in court.
As well as her national work, Andrea Simon has been closely involved in supporting victims and reforming policing in London. She is a founding member of the Mayor’s London Policing Board, established in 2023 to support the Mayor in overseeing the Metropolitan Police and holding the Commissioner to account across all key policing areas, including on the support being provided to victims of crime. She is also co-Chair of the London VAWG Board, working with partner organisations to co-ordinate London-wide efforts to make the city safe for every woman and girl.
Andrea Simon was a member of the Independent Panel advising on the Government’s 2024 Sentencing Review and of the Reference Group for the Angiolini Inquiry set up after the murder of Sarah Everard. She has worked with Members of Parliament and campaigned on issues related to the safety of women and prevention of child trafficking and modern slavery over the last two decades.
The Mayor created the role of London’s Victims’ Commissioner in 2017 to champion the rights of victims of crime and ensure that all parts of the justice system are focused on delivering excellent care. The role has made a real difference. The work of Andrea’s predecessor, Claire Waxman OBE, led to important changes in the Domestic Abuse Bill, Policing Bill and Victims and Prisoners Bill, the reform of the Victims’ Code in 2021 and the creation of Operation Soteria – now a national programme to transform the prosecution of rape. Claire has left the role of London’s Victims’ Commissioner to take up the position as the new National Victims’ Commissioner.
As London’s Victims’ Commissioner, Andrea Simon will work to amplify the voice of victims and promote their interests throughout the criminal justice system in the capital, ensuring the victim's voice is heard in the work of all agencies and lobbying for changes and improvements in law, policy and practice.
Andrea Simon will formally begin her role of London’s Independent Victims’ Commissioner on 2nd March 2026.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:
“I am delighted to announce Andrea Simon will be London’s new independent Victims’ Commissioner. Andrea brings an incredible wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to the role and she will stand up for survivors of crime across the capital, making sure their voices are heard and that their needs are at the heart of the work of the Met and the wider criminal justice system.
“Since creating the post of London’s Victims’ Commissioner in 2017, we have made important steps towards ensuring we have a justice system that works for all. I know that Andrea is committed to being a strong voice for victims of crime and will work tirelessly to help reform the criminal justice system so that it supports victims every step of the way, as we continue building a fairer, safer London for everyone.”
London’s Victims’ Commissioner, Andrea Simon, said:
“It’s a privilege to be taking up the role of Victims’ Commissioner for London. I've worked to improve responses to victims of some of the most life changing crimes over the past decade, firstly victims of child trafficking and exploitation, and then for victims of violence against women and girls. It is critical that all victims receive the responses they are entitled to when they report crime, but this is too often not the case particularly for those from more marginalised communities. I remain committed to working to tackling structural barriers to accessing justice, and ensuring all victims have their rights respected and upheld.”