UK VICTIM SUPPORT
CONFIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE

Victim Support is the national charity that gives help to over one million people each year who have been affected by crime. Victim Support is a completely independent organisation, offering a free and confidential service, irrespective of whether or not a crime has been reported. Their service is provided through an interlinked network across England, Wales and Northern Ireland with separate organisations covering Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. Staff and volunteers are trained to provide emotional support, information and practical help to people who have suffered the effects of crime. They also run a support line where people affected by crime can speak to trained staff and volunteers who offer support and information to victims of crime in complete anonymity, and can put people in touch with local services and other relevant organisations if required. They have two primary objectives:

• to provide help, support and assistance to individual victims, witnesses, their families and friends;
• to raise public awareness and recognition of the effects of crime and promote victim's rights.

Staff and volunteers are trained to provide emotional support, information and practical help to people who have suffered the effects of crime. Their philosophy includes;

• Free and confidential services to victims of crime. Information about any individual seeking help or advice is held in confidence.
• They respect the individual's right to make their own decisions and to access the services only if they want them to help people to regain control of their lives following crime.
• Equal opportunities are offered to all sections of the community and minority and disadvantaged groups are welcomed and involved throughout the organisation.
• They work in close co-operation with the police, the Home Office, the probation service and others within the fields of criminal justice and social welfare in order to improve policies and practices regarding victims and witnesses of crime.
• They do not make public statements on the punishment and sentencing of offenders, except when discussing issues which directly involve the victim, for example compensation or protection.

Victim Support offer emotional and practical support in absolute confidence:

• someone to talk to
• information on police and court procedure
• liaison with other organisations on your behalf
• information on compensation and insurance matters
• contact with other sources of help
• Victim Support witness service is based in every criminal court in England and Wales. Staff and volunteers are trained to provide help and information about the court process to witnesses, victims and their families, before, during and after the trial.

Victim Support England and Wales
Cranmer House
39 Brixton Road
London SW9 6DZ
Telephone: 020 7735 9166
Fax: 020 7582 5712

Victim Support Scotland
15/23 Hardwell Close
Edinburgh
EH8 9RX
Telephone: 0131 668 4486
Fax: 0131 662 5400

Victim Support Northern Ireland
Annsgate House
70/74 Ann Street
Belfast
BT1 4EH
tel: 028 9024 4039
fax: 028 9031 3838

If you have been injured in a violent assault and would like free advice and information on making a criminal injuries compensation claim then just complete the contact form and we will telephone you at no cost and with no obligation. We work on a completely risk free no win no fee basis and we make no charge for our service unless you succeed in claiming compensation. If your initial application is rejected by the CICA we will apply to the independent Appeals Panel at no extra cost to you and if an appeal is unsuccessful you will not be charged one penny. We are not a claims management company and you will not be asked to take out any loans or buy any insurance and you will not have to fund or finance your claim in any respect as it proceeds. The CICA do not pay legal charges and if your claim is successful there will be a deduction from the monies paid to you to cover the cost of legal fees incurred on your behalf. Do yourself justice and give us a call.