GovWire

Introduction

We stand with victims: the Defence Victim Witness Care Unit

The VWCU is part of the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) within the Ministry of Defence.

Independent of the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy chains of command, the VWCU provides a central point of contact for victims and witnesses of serious crime committed by persons subject to service law, in the UK and abroad.

In the VWCU we:

• provide support to victims and witnesses - both serving personnel and civilians
• ensure that each victim is aware of the options available to them
• 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

What we do

We work with victims of crime who are entitled to an enhanced service, in accordance with the code of practice for victims of crime (JSP 839).

This includes:

• victimsof a serious offence
• persistently targeted victims who have been a victim of crime repeatedly, for example being targeted, harassed or stalked
• intimidated victims, whose quality of evidence may be affected due to the behaviour of the suspect, the suspects friends and family, or the victims religious or cultural beliefs
• vulnerable victims whose quality of evidence may be affected because they are under 18; have a mental health condition, or have a physical disability, learning difference or social impairment

The role of a Victim Liaison Officer (VLO)

If you are a victim or witness, you will be automatically referred to the VWCU when a serious crime is reported to the Service Police.

The VWCU will allocate you a VLO, who will be your central point of contact and remain with you throughout the process.

The VLO will:

• make contact with you to complete a detailed needs assessment and identify the level of support required
• coordinate referrals to support services that may be of benefit to you, which only take place with your consent
• maintain regular contact to ensure you get the right support
• act as a central point of contact throughout your journey through the Service Justice System and beyond

You dont have to be referred to the VWCU; you can contact us for advice if you are unsure on what to do next. Our team will then advise on the options available to help you make an informed decision.

We adopt a multi-agency approach, 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

Phone: 07974 074259(8am to 4pm - Monday to Thursday, 8am to 3.30pm - Friday)

Email: people-dscc-vwcugroup@mod.gov.uk

We aim to respond within 5 working days, but if you require a response sooner, please call us or highlight the urgency in your email.

Write to:

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 or witness of crime can be difficult and distressing, and you may not know very much about the Service Justice System.

The decision on 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 then be given a crime reference number, and may be asked to provide a statement.

During an investigation

The Service Police will record your account of what happened. This is called a statement of complaint or witness statement.

In some circumstances, your evidence may be visually recorded by specially trained interviewers, in a specialist interviewing facility. This could be due to your age (if under 18), the type of offence being investigated, or if you are feeling vulnerable or intimidated. The approach is 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, forensic evidence, or they may need to look at your phone. If you have been injured, they may also 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.?

End of an investigation

After the Service Police have concluded their investigation, the evidence will be assessed, and a decision will be made on whether the Service Police consider there to be sufficient evidence to refer the case for a charging decision.

Cases can be referred either to the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) or, depending on the type of offence, to the suspects Commanding Officer, who will decide whether to instigate proceedings and direct the case to Court Martial or Summary Hearing.

Your VLO can explain this process in further detail.

Where cases are 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 decide not to instigate proceedings after receiving the case, you can ask for the decision to be reviewed.

Your VLO will provide you with further information and can assist you with the required process.

When a case goes to court

Pre-trial court visits

Most victims and witnesses will not have been to court before, and a pre-trial court visit is a useful way to become familiar with the environment in advance of a 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 those 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

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