VICTIM SUPPORT

We are the national charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected across England and Wales. We also speak out as a national voice for victims and witnesses and campaign for change. We depend on thousands of specially-trained volunteers to deliver our services and although we work closely with the police and other parts of the criminal justice system, we are an independent charity.

We are not a government agency or part of the police and you don't have to report a crime to the police to get our help. You can call us any time after the crime has happened, whether it was yesterday, last week or several years ago. We have offices throughout England and Wales and we run the Witness Service in every criminal court. Victim Support is the independent charity for victims and witnesses of crime in England and Wales. We were set up over 35 years ago and have grown to become the oldest and largest victims' organisation in the world. Every year, we contact over 1.5 million people after a crime to offer our help. If you have witnessed a crime we can help you to cope with going to court by giving you information and support. Your family and friends who are attending court can get help too and we support witnesses for both the prosecution and defence. We also provide comprehensive support to children at court. The Witness Service can give you: someone to talk to confidentially, about how you're feeling before a trial information about what to expect in court, including a chance to see the court beforehand and learn about court procedures a quiet place to wait before you are called to give evidence someone to go with you into the courtroom if you want, to help you feel more at-ease practical help (for example with claiming your expenses) easier access to people, such as court staff, who can answer specific questions about the case a chance to talk over the case when it has ended and to get more help or information.