Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales (Victim’s Code)

If you’ve been a victim of a crime, you have rights in accordance with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales (Victim’s Code).

As a commissioned provider of services to victims of a crime, whether or not this has been reported to the police, we are required by law to ensure you:

• are treated with respect, dignity, sensitivity, compassion and courtesy;
• make informed choices that are fully respected;
• have your privacy respected by service providers in accordance with their obligations under the relevant privacy and data protection laws; and
• have services provided to assist you and your family to understand and engage with the criminal justice process and that are offered in a professional manner, without discrimination of any kind.

You’re considered a victim if you are:

• a person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss which was directly caused by a criminal offence
• a close relative (or a nominated family spokesperson) of a person whose death was directly caused by a criminal offence

You’re can also receive rights under this code if:

• a parent or guardian of the victim if the victim is under 18 years of age [footnote 5] or
• a nominated family spokesperson if the victim has a mental impairment or has been so badly injured because of a criminal offence that they are unable to communicate or lacks the capacity to do so.

For more information please go to the .gov.uk website.