Victim’s Charter
he Victims’ Charter explains the co-ordinated service that exists to help the victim of a crime with their emotional and practical needs.
The Victim’s Charter aims to make sure that everything possible will be done to deal with the needs of the victim and anyone else who has been affected by the incident.
Statement of Rights for Victims of Crime
The rights of victims of crime must be given the same priority as those of the defendant.
Victims must have the right to:
- Respect and recognition at all stages of the criminal justice proceedings
- Receive information and explanation about the progress of their case
- Provide information to the court responsible for decisions relating to the defendant
- Ask for their physical safety and their psychological well-being to be protected
- Ask for protection from any intrusion into their privacy
- Receive information regarding their rights and the services available
- Have access to free victim support services
- Apply for compensation both from the offender and from the Government
- Have access to health care services
- Information about what happens once a crime is reported
Reporting a crime
The police will respond to a call as quickly as they can. A 999 call should be answered within 5 seconds. If help is required it should arrive within 6 minutes if the call is to somewhere in St Helier or 10 minutes if it is to anywhere else in Jersey.
The person who calls is given a Crime Reference Number.
The victim will be given a copy of a Victims of Crime leaflet as soon as the matter is reported to the police. This explains how the victim and the police can assist each other. It also explains Victim First Jersey and how the victim can apply for compensation for injury, loss or damage caused as the result of a crime.
The police will keep victims informed of any important developments in their case.
As cases are often remanded several times, victims will be kept informed of the new hearing date for their case. When a defendant has been sentenced, the police Witness Care Unit will contact the victim to tell them of the Court’s decision.
Available help
Specialist help is available when the crime involves a death or a child. This specialist help includes support from the Family Protection Team, Family Liaison Officers or Victim Liaison Officers.
In cases where a child is the victim of a serious crime, a police officer who has received specialist training and a Child Care Officer from the Children’s Service will be available.
In cases of rape or serious sexual assault, a police officer who has received special training is available.
If someone has experienced sexual assault, staff at Dewberry House Sexual Assault Referral centre are there to help. Available 24 hours a day on Telephone:+44 1534 888222 or visit www.dewberryhouse.je
Support is also available from Jersey Action Against Rape on their Helpline Telephone:+44 1534 482800 or www.jaar.je
In cases of domestic violence, the details of the victim can be passed to one of the following who offer support and guidance for women:
Women’s Refuge: 24/7 Freefone 0800 7356836, http://jerseywomensrefuge.org/
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors: Telephone:+44 1534 880505
Other victims of crime can obtain emotional support and practical help from Victim First Jersey on 0800 735 1612, website Victims First – Jersey.
How the crime might affect the victim in the future
The police will ask the victim if they are worried that there might be victimisation in the future. They will also ask the victim for details of any loss, damage or injury. The police, Centeniers, Magistrates and Jurats may take this information into consideration when making their decisions.
In cases where the Probation Service has responsibility for supervising prisoners on licence who have received life imprisonment or have been sentenced for serious sexual or violent offences, the Probation Service will attempt to contact the victim to provide information about how the sentence of the offender is progressing. There is a Victim Notification Scheme so that the victim, with their consent, can be notified of the month of release of the offender. The scheme can also obtain information from the victim about any concerns or worries they may have for when the conditions of release of the offender are being considered.
Giving evidence in Court
Please see Witness Service.
Emotional and practical support for victims
The police may pass details to the Victim First Jersey within seven days of the matter being reported unless the victim has requested them not to.
Victim First Jersey will contact victims of crime within two working days after they receive details of the case from the police.
Victims can also contact Victim First Jersey themselves directly on 0800 735 1612.
Certain types of crime such as cases involving sexual offences, domestic violence and murder will be referred to the appropriate support services with the victim’s agreement.
Personal injury as a result of a crime
Persons suffering personal injury as a result of a crime may apply for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
The claim form is available here.
The Court dealing with the crime may consider making a Compensation Order if the victim has suffered loss, damage or injury. The police will give the victim a form to complete and return so that compensation can be considered.
In cases of domestic violence, the details of the victim will be passed to the Women’s Refuge or Independent Domestic Violence Advisors as appropriate who offer support and guidance for women.
In cases of sexual assault, staff at Dewberry House Sexual Assault Referral centre are there to help. Available 24 hours a day on 01534 888222 to give any support needed. Visit www.dewberryhouse.je for more information.
Health care for the victim
Medical attention, when required, will be offered as soon as possible and medical information will be held in strict confidence by hospital staff.
Emotional and psychological support will be offered following bereavement or other traumatic events.