Name of Organisation: Victim Services
Service Description:
The Victim’s Code of Practice (VCoP) was introduced by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in October 2013. It governs services to be provided to victims of crime by criminal justice agencies in England and Wales and forms a key part of the wider Government strategy to transform the criminal justice system by putting victims first, making the system more responsive and easier to navigate.
Prior to 2015, Victim Services were commissioned centrally by the Ministry of Justice. Victim Support was the provider nationally for over 40 years. From April 2015, support services for victims were commissioned at a local level for the first time. This decision was driven by central government but implemented and commissioned by the Police and Crime Commissioner in each area.
The Commissioning Framework provided by the MOJ focuses on outcome based commissioning which is far more effective for achieving the overarching aims of supporting victims to cope with the immediate impacts of crime and recover from the harm experienced.
Current provision: In this context the OPCC Commissioning team completed a commissioning process for this new service resulting in victim support being awarded a contract which commenced on 1 April 2015. This contract terminates on 31 March 2020, so we are now looking to start a new commissioning process for Victim Services in the county. We are therefore taking this opportunity to conduct a Needs Assessment to ensure we commission the best and most appropriate service for the victims of Gloucestershire.
Victims we are able to offer support to:
All victims of crime except sexual violence, domestic abuse, and homicide & road traffic collisions victims and their families. Please see our commissioned and co commissioned services for alternative specialist support.
Victim support can offer emotional and practical help to people who have been affected by crime in Gloucestershire. They are an independent charity and you can contact them for support regardless of whether you’ve contacted the police, and no matter how long ago the crime took place. They will help you for as long as it takes to overcome the impact of crime.
How to make a referral?:
If you’ve been affected by crime, call your local victim care team in Gloucestershire on 0808 281 0112.
Lines are open 9am-7.30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
If you need support outside of Victim support opening hours, please call their Supportline for free on 0808 168 9111 or request support via their website.
