If you’ve been a victim of crime you have the right to receive a certain level of service from the criminal justice system. Your rights are explained in the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (the Victims Code). The Code tells you what you can expect from each criminal justice agency, including the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts and the timeframe in which they must do it.
You have the right to:
be able to understand and be understood
have details of the crime recorded without unjustified delay
be provided with information when reporting the crime
be referred to services that support victims and have services and support tailored to your needs
be provided with information about compensation
be provided with information about the investigation and prosecution
make a Victim Personal Statement
be given information about the trial, trial process and your role as a witness
be given information about the outcome of the case and any appeals
be paid expenses and have property returned
be given information about the offender following a conviction
Victim Personal Statements (VPS)
Experiencing crime can affect you in different ways, be it emotionally, physically, mentally or financially.
A Victim Personal Statement (VPS) gives you the opportunity to explain in your own words the impact that the crime has had on you and your family. It will be taken into account by all criminal justice agencies involved in the case and it can play a key part in sentencing.
Claiming Compensation +
There are a number of ways you can claim or be eligible for compensation as a victim or witness to a crime.
If you have been injured either as a victim or witness of crime you could be eligible for the Government’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. This is available for victims of violent crimes who haven’t been able to claim any other kind of compensation through the court. You can apply here for the scheme.
Nottinghamshire Victim CARE can also help to support you through this process.
You could also be awarded compensation through the courts, if a Judge decides that the offender should pay a sum of money as part of their sentence. This is known as a Compensation Order, and is administered by the court.
You may also be able to claim on your insurance policies in cases of theft, burglary or criminal damage. If you disagree with your insurer’s decision, you can apply to the Financial Ombudsman.
Making Complaints +
If you are unhappy about any part of the criminal justice process, you are entitled to complain. In the first instance, you should speak to the person you have been dealing with. If their response is unsatisfactory, make a formal complaint to the organisation they are part of – they should then respond in accordance to their organisations complaint procedure.
If you need to escalate complaints further, please see the links relating to the following organisations:
