Victims of young offenders

You have rights as a victim of crime. These rights are explained in the Code of Practice for victims of crime document below. It explains what every victim of crime in England and Wales can expect from each criminal justice agency. This includes the police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the courts and the Youth Offending Service (YOS).

Your rights include:

• To be kept informed about your case by the police (at least monthly)
• To hear when a suspect is arrested, charged, bailed or sentenced
• To apply for extra help when giving evidence in court (called special measures) if you are vulnerable or intimidated
• To be told when an offender will be released, if they have been sentenced to a year or more in prison for a violent or sexual offence
• To be referred to victim support

You can read a summary of your rights in the Victims guide - Code of Practice or the full details in the Code of Practice for victims of crime documents below.

Victims guide - Code of Practice [475KB]

Code of Practice for vicitms of crime [116KB]

What does the YOS offer to victims of crime?

The YOS in Plymouth offers you the chance to give your views and make decisions about how the offender can make amends. In the majority of cases you will be contacted by our Victim Advocate Worker, who will talk to you about the outcome of the case. You'll be offered the chance to take part in a 'restorative justice process' which could include one or more of the following:

• Receiving a letter of apology from the young person
• Attending a Referral Order Panel meeting or victim/offender restorative meetings, where you'll have the chance to ask the young person questions and tell them how the offence has affected you and others
• Receiving a face to face apology
• Giving your views to the Victim Advocate Worker (for those who do not want to meet the offender)
• Consider the type of work the young person should carry out on your behalf (direct reparation) or for the local community (indirect reparation)

This can help victims to get an explanation, apology or direct/indirect reparation. Victims would often like to know:

• Why did it happen to me?
• Does the young person realise the harm caused?
• Is it going to happen again?
• Why did the young person do this?
• What did their family think?

Reassurance for victims

All your personal details are kept securely and separately from details of offenders. It's then destroyed once the restorative justice is complete.

Taking part in restorative justice is voluntary and totally your decision.

You can ask to be kept informed of a relevant case until it's complete.

Useful contacts

• Citizens Advice Bureau: 01752 845515
• Cruise Bereavement: 0870 1671677 or 01752 666777
• Domestic Violence Helpline: 01872 225629
• Jeremiahs Journey: 01752 763666
• MIND: 01752 254952
• The National Victim Support Line: 0845 3030900
• Rape and abuse Support: 08451 221331 or 01752 263600
• Samaritans: 08457 909090

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