PCC duty of care to victims and the Victims’ Code

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 in Cleveland.

These duties are set out in the oath of office, which is sworn by the PCC when he takes up the four-year post.

As a result, one of the five key objectives in the Police and Crime Plan is making sure there is effective support for victims and witnesses of crime

The PCC commissions a range of services on the behalf of victims. These include the following:

The Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS)
Restorative Cleveland
Sexual violence and exploitation provision from Teesside Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC,) Arch Teesside, A Way out and Eva Women’s Aid.
A number of services for victims of domestic abuse and their families provided by My Sister’s Place, Eva Women’s Aid, Harbour Support Services and the Halo Project.

Victims’ rights are covered in the latest guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in the Victims Code

Victims’ needs’ assessment study

In 2021, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) launched a major study into how victims accessed support.

The study resulted in the publication of the following two reports by the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI.)

Help for victims of crime

As a victim, what support am I entitled to?

The Victims Code 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.

As a result, the code says that Victims should be treated in a respectful, sensitive and professional manner without discrimination.

Victims should receive appropriate support to help them to cope and recover from crime as well as be protected from further victimisation.

Victims should know what information and support is available to them – from the point of reporting a crime onwards. In addition, victims should know who to go to ask for help.

The Government has published translations of the Victims’ Code in the following languages:

Reporting crimes and getting compensation

Supporting Victims of:

In addition to services commissioned locally by Cleveland Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the following Ministry of Justice-funded services are available:

National Homicide Service Homicide Service – Victim Support,
Brake for victims of road traffic incidents Brake | The Road Safety Charity

Crime, justice and the law

The MOJ also funds the witness care service to support witnesses at court:The Citizens Advice Witness Service – Citizens Advice.

Parole Board Hearings

From 1 April 2025, victims can apply to watch private Parole Board hearings held to decide if a prisoner is safe to be released.

It will let victims see first-hand how offenders are held accountable for their crimes, their subsequent behaviour in prison and their work to prove they can live law-abiding lives if released.

The move aims to give victims a greater understanding of the decisions made by the Parole Board while ensuring they feel more involved in the process.