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1. What to expect as a victim or witness of a crime |
2. What happens after you report a crime? |
3. Victims' Right to Review scheme |
4. Giving a witness or victim statement |
5. Going to court |
6. What happens after the trial? |
7. Victim and witness support organisations |
Victim Care Unit
If you have reported a crime to Devon & Cornwall Police, we have a Victim Care Unit which is partly funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner.
This unit helps victims to understand the impact of the crime and the support options available. Support might include practical advice, information, signposting, or a referral to an appropriate independent support service. They can also provide advice and information in relation to your rights as a victim of crime.
Support is free and confidential and there is no time limit to when this support can be accessed. The Unit is available to help even if you initially said you didn't want support, or if your case is already at court.
Your Victim Care Officer will:
Victim advocates or volunteers can provide further support, either face-to-face or online.
Phone: 01392 475900 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays). Contact Victim Support if you need help support out of these hours.
Email: [email protected]
Text: Text 'support' and your crime number to 67101.
If you decide not to report your crime and still want support, you can refer yourself to Victim Support.
Citizens Advice Witness Service
A national charity and network of local charities offering confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.
If you’re a witness at a criminal court in England or Wales, you can get free and independent support from the Citizens Advice Witness Service. It doesn’t matter who you’re a witness for, you can still get help.
Victim and witness information
A website that helps victims and witnesses of crime in England and Wales. It has information on what happens after reporting a crime, the people you might meet, the support you should get and how to complain if something goes wrong
A national charity dedicated to helping anyone affected by crime to cope with and recover from their experience. It offers services not only to victims and witnesses, but also to their friends and family.
If it doesn't have an office in your area, it can point you to local help.
It also runs My Support Space, a free, safe, secure and confidential space where you can choose how you want to be supported. Register for My Support Space - it's quick and easy.