Work for victims

Wiltshire Probation has an overall responsibility to work with and for victims both indirectly and directly, which has existed since the modern probation service was formed. In all that we do, we are committ ed to preventing the next victim of crime.

The recognition of the benefits of victim work resulted in a statutory duty to contact victims under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000. The National Probation Service welcomes this advance and sees the role of victims as a priority in the criminal justice process. When they ask for it, victims will be kept informed of the offender's release arrangements and in some cases it will be imperative that the victim’s view is included in the determination of the supervision or sentence plan.

You may be eligible for services provided for victims by the National Probation Service if one of the following applies to you:

• You have suffered a sexual or violent offence for which the offender has been sentenced to one year or more in prison or a young offenders’ institution.
• You have a close relationship with someone who has suffered this type of offence and who is vulnerable, for example, a child or elderly relative, and you are acting on their behalf.
• You had a close relationship with someone who has died as a result of this type of offence.

More information on Victim Liaison is included in the leaflet – ‘Victim Contact Scheme – an introduction to the National Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme’ which can be found in our Information Centre.