4. Complete Victim Care And Witness Support

Question 1

What is the definition of a victim?

Answer 1

“A person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss, which was directly caused by a criminal offence”
Or
“A close relative of a person whose death was directly caused by a criminal offence”

Question 2

What is a repeat victim?

Answer 2

Person or object that has been victimised more than once in the past 12 months.

Question 3

What is a vulnerable victim?

Answer 3

A person is vulnerable if as a result of their situation or circumstances, they are unable to take care of, or protect themselves or others, from harm or exploitation. Such as:

• repeat victimisation
• family circumstances
• personal circumstances
• health
• equality and diversity
• economic circumstances

Question 4

What is the code of practice entitlements?

Answer 4

The code applies to all victims of criminal offences.

This includes an entitlement of the victim to receive a written acknowledgment from the police containing the basic details of the offence when they report a crime.

The code covers the support victims should expect at every stage of the process from reporting a crime to post trial support.

Question 5

What is the code of practice for victims of Crimes?

Answer 5

• 5 working days if there is going to be an investigation
• 5 working days if someone is arrested
• 5 working days whether a suspect has been cautioned, reprimanded or received final warning.
• 5 working days if suspect is released on bail.
• 5 working days of whether suspect is to be charged or not.
• monthly updates until case is closed.

Question 6

What is the code of practice for vulnerable victims?

Answer 6

• 1 day if someone is arrested.
• 1 day if the suspect is released on bail.
• 1 day whether the suspect is to be charged or not.
• 1 day whether the suspect has received a reprimand, caution or final warning.

Opt into victim support service

Question 7

Victim personal statement…

Answer 7

Victims must be offered the entitlement to make a VPS

The explains how the crime has effected them emotionally, financially or in any other way

It can be read out in court by the victim themselves, or by CPS prosecutor if requested.

Question 8

What is a witness?

Answer 8

“A witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, either oral or written, of what he or she knows or claims to know about the case.”

Question 9

What is a vulnerable/ victim?

Answer 9

Section 16, Youth justice and Criminal Evidence act 1999:

1. Children under 18 years of age at the time of the hearing
2. People who quality of evidence is likely to be diminished by
   - mental disorder
   - have a significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
   - have a physical disability or are suffering from a physical disorder.

Question 10

What are the special measures?

Answer 10

• screens
• live video link
• giving evidence in private
• the removal of wigs and gowns
• pre recorder evidences to be provided to chief
• visually recorded cross examination or reexamination
• examination of the witness through a an intermediary (vulnerable only)
• aids to communication (vulnerable only)

Question 11

Victim Care procedure (12 steps) …

Answer 11

1. find out who they are and introduce yourself
2. Welfare check (medical attention)?
3. 1st account (don’t use notebook)
4. 1st description (A-J description) (recent incident? Circulation)
5. Observe the scene (initial investigation)
6. Preserve evidence (make sure know one touches it, move people to protect evidence)
7. enquires
8. discuss statements (victim personal statement, and return later to do statement)
9. Victim care booklet
10. Victim support services
11. Crime reduction
12. Final welfare check

Question 12

Victim care procedure (useful tips)…

Answer 12

1. Remove helmet when entering house.
2. Get personal details at 1st description. (Name, phone, DOB, email, address, best hours to contact)
3. move chair closer if possible.
4. Show you care