NCJ Number
212142
Date Published
October 2005
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This Code of Practice governs the minimum level of crime-victim services to be provided in England and Wales by the organizations specified.
Abstract
In addition to listing the organizations required to provide services under the code, this manual outlines the conditions under which persons are entitled to receive services specified in the Code. Criteria for deciding whether a person qualifies for services are also indicated. Another section defines "vulnerable or intimidated victims," who are distinguished for receipt of certain services described in the code. The body of the code specifies the services that must be provided to crime victims by each of the organizations listed as coming under the code. Obligations for the police encompass crime reporting, assessment, and victim support; the identification of vulnerable or intimidated victims; investigation; Family Liaison Officers; arrest and bail; decisions to bring criminal proceedings; the bailing of persons to court; other disposal methods; Youth Offending Teams; requests from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and/or the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel; and information about the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Victim service obligations for the Joint/Crown Prosecution Service Witness Care Units address warrants, appeals from Magistrates' Court to Crown Court, appeals from Crown Court to the Court of Appeal, and information about the National Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme. Victim services are also specified for the Crown Prosecution Service as a whole, Her Majesty's Courts Service, Youth Offending Teams, the Probation Service, the Prison Service, the National Offender Management Service, the Parole Board, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeal Panel, and the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The concluding section specifies procedures for complaints about any of the service providers encompassed by the code.