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
- make a complaint about your rights not being met
Download the code of practice pdf
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.
Criminal Injuries Compensation
If you’ve been injured by a violent crime, you can apply for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
You will be eligible if the crime has been committed in the past two years, and if it was reported to the police as soon as possible.
It doesn’t matter whether the offender has been caught, but there are other rules which may affect how much compensation you receive. The CICA decide to make compensation awards by following a set of rules known as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The CICA scheme sets out the conditions which must be met before you will be considered eligible for compensation.
Please visit the below website to see if you are eligible for compensation:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-injuries-compensation-a-guide#eligibility
Witness Service
The witness service provides free practical and emotional support before, during and after a trial. The service operates in every criminal court in England and Wales and is run by Citizens Advice.
Please see the below for further information:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/citizens-advice-witness-service/
What happens when you report a crime?
The below website offers information on –
- Reporting a crime
- The Police Investigation
- Going to Court
- Going to trial
Derbyshire Constabulary has created a serious sexual assault reporting timeline to outline the key stages of the reporting process and to answer some frequently asked questions about the process. The timeline also lists a series of support services that can be accessed in Derbyshire.
Derbyshire Constabulary
Please visit the Derbyshire Constabulary website for more information on victims and witnesses: