Crime and victims
Victim support and advice
Many of us have been victims of crime - latest figures show one in four (Source: Crime in England and Wales 2004/05 report ). We're working hard to get the level of crime down but we're also reforming the justice system to put the needs of victims first.
Being a victim is a profound emotional and psychological event – it can lead to debilitating personal insecurity, confusion and uncertainty. Support and advice is critical during this difficult period and there is help out there – more than perhaps you might think.
Help for victims
When you report a crime to the police they will treat you with the utmost consideration and will ask if you’d like to be referred to an organisation called Victim Support.
Victim Support
Victim Support is an independent national charity with staff and volunteers who are specially trained to provide victims with free emotional support and practical assistance, including:
- someone to talk to in confidence
- advice on victims' rights
- information on police and court procedures
- advice about compensation and insurance
- links to other sources of help like counselling
Anyone affected by crime can contact Victim Support for help, regardless of whether they’ve reported the crime to the police or how long ago the crime took place.
Victim Support line: 0845 30 30 900
hearing difficulties: 18001 0845 30 30 90
minicom (or text telephone): 020 7896 3776.
email: supportline@victimsupport.org.uk
website: www.victimsupport.org.uk (new window)
Support for victims in the justice system
The Victims’ Virtual Walkthrough (new window) on the Criminal Justice System Online website, realistically guides victims through the processes they’ll encounter from the time a crime is reported, through the police investigation, court processes and sentencing.
It also provides information on the support available to anyone coming into contact with the criminal justice system, such as:
- Victim Support (new window) – this charity provides support and advice to anyone who has been a victim of crime
- The Witness Service (new window) – to support you during a court case
- Community Legal Service (new window) – to help you deal with your legal problems
- Citizen’s Advice Bureau (new window) – to advise you about suing the offender for damages
What we’re doing to improve services for victims
We're making changes that will put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.
This means all victims will be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve, and more offenders will be prosecuted and sentenced appropriately.
Some of the improvements we’re making to the way we support victims include:
- introducing a Code of Practice for victims which sets out the minimum standards of service that a victim can expect from the criminal justice system
- developing national standards to meet the needs of specific groups of victims, for example, victims of road traffic incidents or human trafficking
- allocating funding to support the development of community-based services for sexual crime victims
- introducing measures to prevent repeat victimisation at the hands of domestic violence offenders
- setting up the Victims' Advisory Panel which enables victims of crime to have their say on how victims should be supported in the justice system.
