Witness/Victim Support

If you report a crime to the police you can expect:

• the police to investigate the crime;
• in most cases, to be contacted by Victim Support - unless you ask the police not to pass on your details;*
• to be told by the police if someone is charged with, or cautioned for, the offence;
• to be told (if you ask to be) by the police or the Crown Prosecution Service if the charge is later dropped or downgraded;
• if you are needed as a witness, to be given a 'Witness in Court' leaflet, and told the date of the trial;
• if the case goes to court, consideration to be given to making a compensation order in your favour;
• to be told (if you ask to be) the result of the court case; in more serious cases, to be told (if you ask to be) the result of any appeal against conviction or sentence;
• to be given advice about applying for compensation for personal injury from the criminal Injuries Compensation Authority; and
• to be given crime prevention advice if you ask for it.

* Not all categories of crime are routinely referred to Victim Support by the police

To help make this possible, you should:

• report the crime to the police promptly;
• give the police full details of your injury or loss;
• tell the police if you want compensation;
• tell the police if you fear for your (or your family's) safety;
• tell the police if you do not want them to tell Victim Support or the press;
• tell the police of any changes of address while the case remains unresolved; and contact Victim Support direct if you want to.