Victim Care

Question 0

What should you consider in regards to the impact of crime on victims?

Answer 0

Critical incident - the effectiveness of police response on the victim and /or their family and /or the community.

Public confidence in police

Awareness of Diverse needs of the community

Question 1

What does the victim support charity offer?

Answer 1

Victim support - national charity for victims - free confidential advice, help with info regarding the CJS (ie the process for id parades or court attendance), compensation claims, crisis intervention to help minimise victims trauma, obtaining long term help from other services, accompanying victim to police station or court if required

Question 2

What is a vulnerable witness?

Answer 2

• child aged 17 or under
• May have a mental health disorder (under mental health act 1983) or
• be a witness who is significantly impaired by a leaning disability
• or have a physical disability

** (where quality if evidence would be inspired by the disability)

Question 3

What is an intimidate witness?

Answer 3

Someone whose quality of evidence would diminish due to fear or distress caused by the suspect

Question 4

What is the 123 test for special measures?

Answer 4

1) is witness vulnerable/intimidated or distressed (as defined under S.16&17 of youth justice and criminal evidence act 1999)
2) are any special measures (or combination of) likely to improve unqualified of evidence? (Coherence /accuracy?)
3) if 1&3 apply - what special measures are most appropriate to maximise the quality of evidence?

Question 5

What act covers vulnerable and intimidated witnesses?

Answer 5

S.16 (vulnerable) AND
S.17 (intimidated)
Of the youth justice and criminal evidence act 1999

Question 6

What are the 3 ways to risk assess vulnerability?

Answer 6

Behavioural characteristics (communication problems, memory problems, mood or body language)

Physical characteristics (ie dilated pupils - drug use?, angling of head or unable to look in direction of someone’s speech- visual or hearing disability?, uncontrollable muscle movement)

Social circumstances ( living in a care home, or with a carer, taking certain medicine)

Question 7

How do you identify if a witness is / or is at risk of being, intimidated?

Answer 7

If they tell you that intimidation has/is likely to occur

If they are reluctant to give a statement

Lives in an area with history of ASB

Lives close to suspect or their family

Is at risk of intimidation due to factors associated with their cultural/ethnic background

Question 8

How do you identify a potential intimidated witness from the incident?

Answer 8

If it has occurred around the witness’ home

Certain offences indicate an increased likelihood of intimidation (hate crime, Dom violence, vandalism, sexual/physical assault)

If there is evidence of repeat victimisation (i.e. it is one of a series of incidents)

Question 9

How do you identify a potential intimidate witness from the suspect?

Answer 9

If they have a personal relationship with the victim or is in a position if authority over them (ie carer in carehome)

If they have a previous history of intimidation

If they (or their relatives) have a violent nature

If they intend to influence /interfere with witnesses

If they have a major influence in the criminal fraternity

Question 10

What form is completed for vulnerable / intimidated witnesses?

Answer 10

MG2