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Support for Victims of Crime: Findings From the 2002/2003 British Crime Survey

NCJ Number
206038
Author(s)
Laura Ringham; Heather Salisbury
Date Published
2004
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This report presents results from the 2002/03 British Crime Survey (BCS) involving the treatment of victims of crime.
Abstract
The report explores the experiences of victims are they relate to the 27 Victim’s Charter Standards. The Victim’s Charter, revised in 1996, sets forth 27 standards of service that victims of crime and their families can expect to receive from criminal justice agencies upon the report of a crime. Victim Support is an independent National organization for victims of crime that offers free confidential support. The report presents findings regarding victim’s attitudes toward the support and advice they received, their treatment as a victim, and their general awareness of the Victim’s Charter and Victim Support. Overall levels of satisfaction with the police are explored, as are victim desires in terms of support and information they would have liked to receive following a crime. The analysis of the survey results revealed that 75 percent of victims did not seek any form of advice or support. Information from police was the most frequently cited form of support sought by victims. In 80 percent of crimes known to the police, victims received no information, support or advice. However, 59 percent of victims expressed satisfaction with the way police dealt with the matter. Of the victims who reported the crime to the police, 6 percent reported contact with Victim Support. Of those who had contact with Victim Support, 64 percent rated it as very or fairly helpful. Most victims (80 percent) had heard of Victim Support, but only 13 percent had heard of the Victim’s Charter. Results are also grouped under four categories that comprise the 27 standards of service provided for in the Victim’s Charter. Tables, annex