Suffolk Constabulary Policies & Procedures PROCEDURE

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification:

Title: SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS

Index: GENERAL PRINCIPLE VICTIM SUPPORT SCHEMES CRISIS CARE SUPPORT TEAMS COURT WITNESS SERVICE WITNESS CARE UNITS

GENERAL PRINCIPLE

Police officers have a duty to help the victims of crime, major disasters and other traumatic experiences. Without support from other agencies we are unable to provide this to the level we would wish. The main agency assisting us to provide this service in Suffolk is Victim Support Suffolk.

In addition the Victims Code, provided for in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims' Act 2004 is designed to set out clearly the services which victim's can expect to receive from each Criminal Justice organisation and when they should expect to receive them. The Code represents a minimum level of service in England and Wales. All victims are entitled under this Code to receive information about local support services in their area and to be regularly updated on the progress of any criminal investigation in which they are involved. From April 2006, if a victim feels that any of the service providers have not delivered their obligations under the Code they can refer the issue through a Member of Parliament to the Parliamentary Ombudsman for consideration. The Code provides and gives statutory rights to the victims' of crime for the first time.

The Witness Charter was introduced from 1st April 2008 and also sets out how witnesses can expect to be treated and the support they can expect to receive from the Police, other criminal justice agencies and lawyers.

VICTIM SUPPORT SUFFOLK Background The aim of Victim Support is to offer support and practical assistance to individuals and families who have experienced distress, loss or inconvenience as a result of crime and families of victims of homicide or road death. Volunteers are selected and trained and will visit the victim at home if requested. All officers should give assistance and encouragement to Victim Support and their volunteers. There are three Victim Support offices in Suffolk.

(a) Lowestoft - North Suffolk Victim Support Suffolk, 5, Regent Road, Lowestoft NR32 1PA. TEL: 01502 584105/01502 562560 FAX 01502 584105 Email: [email protected]

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification: Page 1 of 6 Suffolk Constabulary Policies & Procedures PROCEDURE

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification:

(b) Bury St Edmunds - West Suffolk Victim Support Suffolk, Risbygate, 90 Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3AA. TEL: 01284 717188 FAX: 01284 717188 Email: [email protected]

(c) Ipswich - Ipswich and District Victim Support Suffolk, 29 Elm Street, Ipswich IP1 2AB. TEL: 01473 231964 FAX: 01473 231964 Email. [email protected]

Management Victim Support Suffolk is affiliated to the Victim Support (National umbrella charity) and adheres to guidelines issued. Each office has a Branch Committee, which includes a Police representative who will offer advice in respect of police involvement. Participation of additional officers will be at the discretion of the Area Commander. The Assistant Chief Constable will represent the Force on the Advisory Committee to advise and assist with policy and developmental matters. Identification Volunteers will carry identification cards, which display the volunteer’s photo and are signed by either the Area Manager or a trustee of VSS. For verification purposes, in case of doubt, please contact your local co-ordinator, (details overleaf). Referrals Referrals are transmitted to Victim Support Suffolk automatically on a daily basis, based on the completion of the Crime Report/MO Screen/VSS Referral Box. For further information please see below.

The officer in the case may choose not to refer specific cases to VSS if deemed inappropriate, however every effort will be made to discuss/share this decision with the VSS, this may be in cases where:

. There is doubt about the alleged occurrence. . The offender lives with the victim or is likely to be present. . There is a more suitable agency to provide support (e.g. Rape Crisis, Citizen's Advice, Women's Aid). . The victim is of a violent disposition.

In referring any incident to Victim Support (and in particular those of a domestic or similar nature) the Officer should always consider the safety of the volunteer. They must also ensure that the coordinator is properly briefed on all relevant circumstances concerning the case. Any concerns the officer has, should be noted on the MO screen.

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification: Page 2 of 6 Suffolk Constabulary Policies & Procedures PROCEDURE

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification:

There is a presumption that the case will be referred, unless the victim objects. However in cases of rape, homicide and domestic violence the victim must ACTIVELY PROVIDE THEIR CONSENT. In order to easily identify Victims (through the use of automatically generated Notifications) who specifically object to their details being given to a third party, the wording of the Victim Support Box (no 5) on the 'I' screen of CIS has been reworded. The wording is now [OBJECT to Vict Supp]. Where a complainant does specifically object to Victim Support referral then the box will be completed with a [Y]. The [Vict Leaf Issued] box, also on the 'I' screen has been made mandatory. Officers are required to issue ‘Victim of Crime’ leaflets to all complainants, of sexual offences, homophobic and domestic incidents; in every other case ASU staff will send out leaflets. The mandatory box should prompt this. Where the leaflet has not been issued an [N] should be entered in the box.

It is imperative that all officers know their responsibilities in respect of crimes; all have automatic referral, Victim Support Suffolk, unless there is a clear objection to these details being passed.

When VSS provide leaflets for issue to victims then officers should be encouraged to use them. This could enable a victim to indicate directly to the scheme that they do not wish to take advantage of any of the services offered.

VSS will forward details of victims from outside the Force area to the relevant Victim Support office.

CRISIS CARE SUPPORT TEAMS

Background

There are three teams, which follow the Suffolk Social Care Services divisional boundaries (Northern, Southern and Western). Each team is co-ordinated by a member of Social Care Services and comprises specially trained representatives from a wide range of statutory and voluntary organisations. Suffolk Constabulary is represented on each team.

Aim of Teams

. To offer short-term support to people affected by a major disaster. . To offer short-term support to people affected by smaller, but significant incidents, i.e. murder, homicide, kidnap, siege, armed raid, bomb threat/explosion, where a number of people are involved or affected.

Terms of Service

The service will not be offered in the following situations:

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification: Page 3 of 6 Suffolk Constabulary Policies & Procedures PROCEDURE

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification:

. Groups of staff remain the responsibility of their employer (although advice to employers would be made available). . Where a recognised alternative service is available i.e. Victim Support, CRUSE, Samaritans. However, when any of these organisations' resources appear inadequate they may call upon 'Crisis Care' members for assistance, which will be provided at the discretion of the County Co-ordinator.

Management

Team coordinators and representatives of participating agencies form the County Steering Group, oversee the administration of teams. Police representation will be from Operations, CMD, FHQ. The nominated officer will coordinate all matters, which need to be referred for a policy decision. Any queries on the operation of teams should be directed to Operations, CMD. Police Membership

It has been agreed that police will sponsor staff training and deployment costs. The use of police team members will be at the discretion of Area Commanders. Vetting

Details of prospective members will be passed to the police representative on the Steering Group who will arrange for all the usual searches to be made. To comply with provisions of the Data Protection Act each team coordinator must inform the individuals that their names will be checked on the police computer. Previous convictions will not be disclosed and the coordinators must agree to accept the police decision as final. Identification

All team members will carry a Crisis Care identification card in addition to their normal identification. Referrals

These may take one of the following forms:

. Callout/stand-by following an emergency. . Requests may come via police. (Details of the procedure are held on Scratch Pad and should be through the Force Operations Room). . From other sources including team members, local authorities or participating agencies.

NOTE: ALL APPROPRIATE INCIDENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE REFERRED BY POLICE TO VICTIM SUPPORT SUFFOLK.

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification: Page 4 of 6 Suffolk Constabulary Policies & Procedures PROCEDURE

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification:

However, this does not preclude the alerting of Crisis Care or the referral to them from Victim Support Schemes when assistance is required. Team coordinators will advise the Senior Investigating Officer of any incident referred to them from another service.

SUFFOLK WITNESS SERVICE

The Court Witness Service operates at Ipswich Crown Court and Bury St Edmunds Crown Court and all Magistrates Courts. The Service is part of Victim Support and has trained volunteers who can give help and support to all victims and witnesses at Court. The Service has volunteers who are specially trained to give support to vulnerable and intimidated victims including children.

Leaflets containing details of the service available are sent by the Witness Care Unit to all witnesses required to attend Court. Officers may also encourage witnesses whom they consider require support to contact the service. Any officer dealing with vulnerable and intimidated witnesses is advised to contact the Service Coordinator on (01473) 228529/228530 to discuss the support, which can be provided.

How to contact your nearest Witness Service:

Ipswich Crown Court Suffolk Witness Service, Crown Court, 1 Russell Road, Ipswich IP1 2AG TEL: 01473 228530 FAX: 01473 228532 Email: [email protected]

South East Suffolk (Ipswich) Magistrates’ Court Suffolk Witness Service, The Court House, Elm Street, Ipswich IP1 2AP TEL: 01473 221515 FAX: 01473 221515 Email: [email protected]

West Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) Magistrates’ Courts Suffolk Witness Service, The Court House, Shire Hall, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1HF TEL: 01284 747329 FAX: 01284 747329 Email: [email protected]

North East Suffolk (Lowestoft) Magistrates’ Court Suffolk Witness Service, Trafalgar Annex, The Court House, Old Nelson Street, Lowestoft NR32 1PE TEL: 01502 539164 FAX: 01502 539164 Email: [email protected]

WITNESS CARE UNITS

Background

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification: Page 5 of 6 Suffolk Constabulary Policies & Procedures PROCEDURE

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification:

The No Witness, No Justice report prompted the national rollout of Witness Care Units [WCU's], which provide a single point of contact for victims where a case is going through the criminal justice system.

In Suffolk Witness Care Units are based at Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft, for cases progressing to the Magistrates Courts and another based at the Trials Unit for cases progressing to the Crown Court.

Staff at the WCU's will offer the following:

1. A single point of contact for victims. 2. An ongoing needs assessment to identify specific support requirements. 3. Regular progress updates including the case outcome or trial result.

top

Department: Crime Management Department See Also: Victim Support Victim Support Suffolk National Association of Victim Support Schemes Rape Crisis Citizen's Advice CRUSE Samaritans Victims Code Women's Aid Screened Out Crime – Procedure Vulnerable or Intimidated Victims and Witnesses – Procedure Information Sharing Protocol Support for Families of Road Death Protocol Witness Charter

top

Authorised By: Detective Chief Inspector Crime Operations Author: LP – Policy, Planning and Performance Officer Next Review Date: 1 August 2008 Date Reviewed: July-August 2006 Date Created: 1 August 1995 Registry Reference: HRA Compliance: 1 September 2006 HRA Auditor: AK

Document Not Protectively Marked Classification: Page 6 of 6