Victims

The National Probation Service operates a Victim Contact Scheme for all victims of sexual or violent offences, when the offender has been sentenced to a period of 12 months or longer in custody.  This provision also applies where an offender is ordered to be detained in hospital with restrictions attached to his or her discharge.

Unless a victim indicates that he or she does not wish to be contacted, details will be passed to a Victim Liaison Officer who will make contact within 8 weeks of date of sentence. 

Involvement with this service is entirely voluntary and victims may change their minds about having contact with a Victim Liaison Officer at any point during the offender’s sentence.

The Victim Liaison Officer will:

• Determine any immediate concerns about the offender’s behaviour towards the victim
• Provide information about the criminal justice process and the way in which prisons and secure hospitals operate
• Establish if victims wish to be kept informed of key developments during the offender’s sentence
• Provide information about other services available to victims.

Victim Liaison Officers will additionally:

• Explain how victims may put forward views regarding conditions which may be placed on the offender when eventually released.  This may include a condition not to contact the victim or members of the victim’s family.
• Inform the victim when an offender is being released and of any relevant conditions.
• Maintain contact with the victim whilst the offender is being supervised in the community and inform the victim when the period of supervision is coming to an end.

Other contact numbers:

Prison Service Victim Helpline                        0845 7585 112

-          This number may be rung if there is unwanted contact from a prisoner

Victim Support                                                0845 30 30 900

-          A national charity for people affected by crime. It offers a confidential service to all sections of the community.

Please read our Victim Contact Sheme Leaflet