Get support as a victim of crime
Get free support and advice if you鈥檝e been a victim of crime.
There鈥檚 different support if you鈥檝e been a or a .
Contact a support service
You can read a list of victim support services.
Victim Contact Scheme
You鈥檒l be asked if you want to join the Victim Contact Scheme if both of the following are true:
- you鈥檙e the victim of a violent or sexual crime
- the offender is sentenced to 12 months or more
If you join, you鈥檒l be given a Victim Liaison Officer who鈥檒l tell you:
- how long the offender will be in prison for, if there are any changes to their sentence, and when they鈥檒l be released
- when an offender is up for parole and how to make a victim statement at the parole hearing
- how to apply for a 鈥�licence condition鈥� - these stop the offender doing certain things when they鈥檙e released, such as contacting you
- how to challenge a parole decision if the Parole Board decides the offender is safe to release
Tell your Victim Liaison Officer whenever you change your contact details, so they can keep you updated.
If you decide not to join or you were not asked, you can still join if you change your mind later by sending an email to the Victim Contact Scheme.
Victim Contact Scheme
[email protected]
You can if you have a question that is not about the Victim Contact Scheme.
Read about your rights after a crime to find out what you鈥檙e entitled to.
Use the restorative justice scheme
Contact your local victim support organisation, police force, or probation officer if you鈥檇 like to:
- meet the offender
- talk about how your life has been affected
- get answers to your questions and an apology
Find out more about .
If you鈥檙e contacted by a prisoner
Contact the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Victims Helpline if you get unwanted letters, phone calls, texts or messages from a prisoner.
You can also contact the helpline if you鈥檙e worried about someone being released from prison.
HM Prison and Probation Service Victims Helpline
[email protected]
Telephone: 0300 060 6699
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Find out about call charges