Ministry Of Defence
Introduction
The VWCU is part of the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) within the Ministry of Defence.
The VWCU is independent of Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force chains of command and will provide a central point of contact to victims and witnesses of serious crimes committed by persons subject to service law in the UK and overseas.
The VWCU provides support to victims and witnesses, both serving personnel and civilians, ensuring that each victim is afforded their rights in accordance with the code of practice for victims of crime (JSP 839).
The VWCU will:
- empower victims and witnesses to make informed decisions
- coordinate access to support for victims of crime
- focus on the well-being of victims and witnesses
- act as a central point of contact for victims and witnesses throughout the Service Justice System
- maintain compliance with the code of practice for victims of crime (JSP 839)
What we will do
The VWCU works with victims of crime who are entitled to an enhanced service in accordance with the Victims Code of Practice guidelines. This includes:
Victimsof a serious offence.
Persistently targeted victims, who have been a victim of crime repeatedly - for example being targeted, harassed or stalked.
Vulnerable victims whose quality of evidence may be affected because they:
- are under 18
- suffer from a mental health condition
- have a physical disability, a learning difficulty or social impairment
Intimidated victims, whose quality of evidence may be affected due to behaviour of the suspect or the suspects friends and family, or the victims religious or cultural beliefs.
The role of a Victim Liaison Officer (VLO)
The role of a Victim Liaison Officer is to:
- make contact with the victim to complete a detailed needs assessment to identify the level of support required
- coordinate referrals to support services that may be of benefit to enhanced victims only with their consent
- act as a central point of contact for victims throughout their journey of the Service Justice System and beyond, where required
- maintain regular contact with the victim to ensure their rights are being met
We adopt a multi-agency approach, while working with partners to provide victims and witnesses access to specialist support.
This may include:
- independent domestic violence advisors
- independent sexual violence advisors
- victim support
Contact the VWCU
Email: people-dscc-vwcugroup@mod.gov.uk
We aim to respond to your email within five working days, but if you require a response sooner, please call on the number provided or highlight the urgency in an email.
Telephone: 07974 074 259 from 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3.30pm Friday
Write to:
Defence School of Policing and Guarding
Southwick Park
1st Floor Overlord Building
PO17 6EJ
In an emergency, always call 999. This includes:
- where a serious offence is in progress or has just been committed
- someone is in immediate danger or harm
- property is in danger of being damaged
- a serious disruption to the public is likely
What to expect if you report a crime to the Service Police
Being a victim of or a witness to a crime can be difficult and distressing and you may not know very much about the Service Justice System.
The decision whether to report an incident may not be an easy one to take and we understand that you may prefer not to.
If you decide to report a crime to the police they will take information about the offence and the crime will be recorded. You will be given a crime reference number, and you may be asked to provide a statement.
Investigation
The Service Police will record your account of what happened. This is called a statement of complaint or witness statement.
In some circumstances you may have your evidence visually recorded by specially trained interviewers and in a specialist interviewing facility. This could be due to your age (if under 18), the type of offence being investigated or whether you are vulnerable or intimidated. This will be decided by the Service Police officer who will conduct a victim needs assessment with you before you provide evidence.
The Service Police may need to take evidence from you, such as fingerprints or forensic evidence, or they may need to look at your phone. If you have been injured, they may need to take photographs of your injuries.
The Service Police will explain to you at each step what evidence they need, and why they need it.?If you have had medical treatment, the Service Police will need your written consent before they can obtain any medical evidence about you.
What happens at the end of an investigation
After the Service Police have concluded their investigation, the evidence will be assessed, and a decision will be made as to whether the Service Police consider there is sufficient evidence to refer the case for a charging decision.
Cases can be referred either to the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) or to the suspects Commanding Officer, depending on the type of offence, who will then decide whether to instigate proceedings and direct the case to Court Martial or Summary Hearing.
Your VLO can explain this process in further detail.
What happens if my case is not referred
If the Service Police decide not to refer your case, you can ask them to review that decision.
If the SPA or the suspects Commanding Officer, after receiving the case, decide not to instigate proceedings, you can ask for the decision to be reviewed.
Your VLO will provide you with further information and can assist you with this process.
What happens if my case goes to court
Pre-trial court visits
Most victims and witness will not have been to court, and a pre-trial court visit is a useful way to become familiar with the court in advance of the trial. Simply seeing the court, and where you and everyone else will be standing, may make the process easier. You can also use an alternative court entrance if you are worried about seeing the defendant when you arrive.
Your VLO can assist you with making these arrangements.
The trial
You will meet the prosecutor at court and have time to read through your statements before you give evidence.
Enhanced support such as special measures are available in certain circumstances, these are measures put in place to help intimidated and vulnerable victims to give their best possible evidence in court.
Special Measures can include giving evidence from behind a screen, so the victim or witness does not have to see the defendant, or giving evidence by live link.
These measures extend to witnesses and can be used, if the court allows, in any case.
Your VLO will discuss these measures in further detail to help you understand how they can support you.
Other victim and witness specialist support
To ensure that all victims and witnesses of crime receive the support they need, the following specialist helplines are available:
- support for victims and witnesses of crime
- support for victims of sexual violence and abuse
- support for victims of domestic abuse
- support if you are worried about hurting someone
- armed forces domestic abuse: a handbook for civilian support services
- armed forces domestic abuse: worldwide support