The Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC’s) key duties include supporting victims, giving them a voice and ensuring the effectiveness of the criminal justice system across Cleveland.
These duties are set out in the oath of office, which the PCC swears when taking up the four-year post.
Getting a Better Deal for Victims and Witnesses is also one of the PCC’s five key objectives in the Police and Crime Plan.
In addition to supporting and campaigning for victims, the PCC commissions a range of services on their behalf. They include:
- The Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS)
- Restorative Cleveland
- Sexual violence provision from Teesside Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Arch
- A number of services for victims of domestic abuse and their families provided by My Sister’s Place, Harbour Support Services and Foundation
- Support for victims of illegal cultural harms provided by Middlesbrough-based Halo Project.
Further help for victims of crime
As a victim, what support am I entitled to?
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime forms a key part of Government strategy to transform the criminal justice system.
It aims to put victims first and make the system more responsive and easier to navigate for everyone.
The code says that Victims of crime should be treated in a respectful, sensitive and professional manner without discrimination.
They should receive appropriate support to help them to cope and recover from crime as much as possible and be protected from further victimisation.
Victims of crime should know what information and support is available to them from reporting a crime onwards and who to go to request help.
The Government has just published an updated Victims Code of Practice, which will come into effect in April 2021.
Reporting crimes and getting compensation
Supporting Victims of: