NCJ Number
209411
Date Published
July 2004
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes Victim Support, the national charity for victims of crime in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Abstract
Victim Support is a charitable organization for crime victims and witnesses that offers free and confidential help to victims and witnesses and provides training and consultancy services to public agencies and commercial organizations. It was founded in 1974 in Bristol, England by a police officer and a probation officer. There are currently 374 schemes throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The values and principles of Victim Support are enumerated, as are the referral trends for 2001 through 2002. Most referrals (65 percent) are for individuals who have been victims of property crimes, such as burglary, while 29 percent of referrals are for violent crimes, such as homicide and sexual offenses. The victim support service model is described and includes the provision of information, practical help, and emotional support to victims of crime, to witnesses, and to their family and friends. Victim Support services do not include counseling, legal advice, or medical intervention, although Victim Support staff will help individuals secure this type of help elsewhere, if needed. A service example is provided in which a victim of a racist crime is helped through her situation by Victim Support services. The legal context for victim support is briefly described, as are the current and future challenges for victim support organizations. One of the future challenges is to make services available to more people who do not report the crimes committed against them.