Your Rights
Victims and witnesses of crime have the right to receive a certain level of service from the criminal justice system. We’ve set out exactly what these are in the following pages which outline the different rights for victims and witnesses of crime.
For a comprehensive overview of the support you can expect as a victim of crime, the Victims’ Code sets out the minimum standard that organisations must provide to victims of crime.
For a high level overview please see the below:
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims’ Code) sets out the minimum standards that must be provided to victims of crime by organisations (referred to as service providers) in England and Wales.
Victims of crime should be treated in a respectful, sensitive and professional manner without discrimination of any kind. They also have the following rights:
- To be able to understand and to be understood
- To have the details of the crime recorded without unjustified delay
- To be provided with information when reporting the crime
- To be referred to services that support victims and have services and support tailored to your needs
- To be provided with information about compensation
- To be provided with information about the investigation and prosecution
- To make a Victim Personal Statement
- To be given information about the trial, trial process and your role as a witness
- To be given information about the outcome of the case and any appeals
10. To be paid expenses and have property returned
11. To be given information about the offender following a conviction
12. To make a complaint about your rights not being met.
The above is directly from The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales and supporting public information materials – GOV.UK
