Victim Care: Rights, Referrals, and Your Obligations

• Response officers attending incidents with victims of crime
• Investigation officers managing victim relationships
• Supervisors ensuring victim care standards are met
• Student officers learning about victim entitlements

1. 1

   Know the Victims' Code entitlements

   The Victims' Code (updated 2020, further revised 2021) gives victims the right to: receive written information about the case within set timescales; be informed of the outcome of investigation and prosecution; access victim support services; receive a needs assessment; have special measures considered; make a Victim Personal Statement; be told if a suspect is released from custody; and have the right to review a decision not to charge.

2. 2

   Conduct a needs assessment

   All victims must receive a needs assessment to determine whether they have enhanced needs requiring additional support. Enhanced needs are likely for: children and young people, elderly or vulnerable adults, victims of hate crime, victims of domestic abuse, victims of sexual offences, victims of human trafficking, and victims who are particularly badly affected by the offence. Enhanced needs trigger additional obligations.

3. 3

   Refer to Victim Support

   Victim Support provides free, confidential support to victims of crime regardless of whether the crime is reported to police or whether a prosecution follows. You should routinely offer a referral to Victim Support at first contact. For enhanced-needs victims, this should be an active referral, not merely information about the service.

4. 4

   Refer to specialist services where relevant

   For domestic abuse victims: refer to an IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Adviser) where the risk is medium or high (using your force DASH or DARAC risk assessment). For sexual assault victims: signpost to a SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre). For child victims: follow your force child abuse referral pathway and safeguarding procedures. ISVAs (Independent Sexual Violence Advisers) support victims of sexual offences through the criminal justice process.

5. 5

   Consider special measures

   Special measures allow vulnerable and intimidated witnesses (including many victims) to give evidence in ways that reduce distress — for example, via video link, behind a screen, or through Section 28 pre-recorded cross-examination. Eligible witnesses include children, those with mental disorder or physical disability, those in fear of intimidation, and victims of certain serious offences. Identify eligible witnesses early and make applications through your DS or OIC.

6. 6

   Facilitate the Victim Personal Statement

   Every victim has the right to make a Victim Personal Statement (VPS), explaining the physical, emotional, psychological, financial, or social impact of the offence. The VPS is read to the court (or a summary given) at sentencing. Offer this right at investigation stage and again before sentencing. The VPS does not affect guilt or innocence, only the court understanding of impact.

7. 7

   Keep victims informed

   The Victims' Code mandates specific timelines for keeping victims updated — for example, within one day of arrest, charge, or bail decisions in enhanced cases. Use your force victim care system to log contact and set reminders. Failure to keep victims informed is one of the most common complaints.

• Failing to conduct or document a needs assessment
• Only offering Victim Support information verbally rather than making an active referral for enhanced-needs victims
• Missing the timescales for keeping victims informed of key developments
• Not offering the Victim Personal Statement or not explaining its purpose clearly
• Failing to identify witnesses eligible for special measures at the earliest opportunity
• Not escalating vulnerability indicators appropriately (DASH/DARAC thresholds)

Consult your supervisor or force Victim Care Unit if: a victim has enhanced needs that go beyond your ability to manage; a victim is dissatisfied with how their case is being handled; special measures applications are required; or you believe a victim is at immediate risk. For safeguarding concerns, follow your force referral pathway.