Support For Victims and Witnesses
People react to crime in many ways and although most
victims do not suffer long-term harm, both adults and children can
be seriously affected.
Victim Support is the
independent national charity that helps people cope with the
effects of crime. Trained volunteers based in local branches
contact people after a crime to offer free confidential support and
information and in some cases practical help.
Victim Support can help those who are referred, or victims and
witnesses who contact the charity directly through the local
Supportline.
Victim support in Peterborough offers:
- Someone to talk to in confidence and contact with other sources
of help
- Information on police and court procedures and someone to
accompany where necessary
- Liaison with other organisations on behalf of the victim or
witness
- Information on compensation and insurance matters
- An enhanced service aimed specifically at young witnesses of
crime
- A specific witness service for those witnesses attending
coroners court
Victim support depends upon volunteers who give up their time to
help victims cope with the distress caused by crime. There are many
ways you can help. You can help as a volunteer visitor, court-based
volunteer, fundraiser, or office administrator.
Full training is given and expenses are paid. Call 0845
38 99 523 for more information.
If you are a witness or victim of crime then call the
Supportline on 0845 4503 899 (8am-8pm).
Alternatively you can find your local Victim
Support branch.
Sentencing explained – in plain English
What does it mean when someone is given a community order? What
happens to lawbreakers when they are sentenced to prison? What does
a life sentence actually mean?
To combat confusion and make the justice system more publicly
accessible, the Cambridgeshire Criminal Justice Board has published
a layman’s guide to sentencing on its website.
Sentencing
Explained outlines the different sentences available to
judges and magistrates in our criminal courts - and explains what
they mean in plain English.
As well as outlining different types of sentences, the website
explains the role victims have in sentencing – as well as what
happens when someone is sentenced for a hate crime.
People logging onto the website can also have a go at sentencing
defendants in fictional court cases.