Victim Support
This independent charity was set up in 1974 to help people cope with the effects of crime. What kind of help do they offer, and to whom?
Victim Support have two main concerns:
- Providing help and support to anybody who has been affected by crime: victims, witnesses, their friends and their families. They provide free and confidential services to anyone who is experiencing direct or knock-on effects of crime.
- Campaigning to raise public awareness and recognition of the effects of crime and promote the rights of victims. Andrew Buckingham from Victim Support has this to say: "We are working towards a joined-up response from everyone who works with victims. The length of time for someone to recover from a crime depends on the response to the crime and how the victim is treated afterwards."
What do they do for victims?
They are primarily a 'listening service', whether that's over the phone or face to face. They offer:
- Someone to talk to.
- A witness service: support and information on police and court procedure. There's one in every criminal court in England and Wales.
- Liaison with other organisations on your behalf.
- Practical information on compensation and insurance matters.
- Contact with other sources of help.
- They can help anyone aged 15 or over, without parental consent.
Contact details:
Victim Support website: http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
Victim Supportline: 0845 3030 900
Open 9am - 9pm Mon to Fri, 9am - 7pm weekends, 9am - 5pm bank holidays.
All calls are confidential and charged at local rates.
Want to volunteer?
Anyone over the age of 18 can apply to volunteer with Victim Support. Call your local branch for more details. If you want to work on the helpline, call 020 7896 3923 for an application pack.
You can also volunteer online via the do-it database.
