Leading the way in victim and witness care
On Friday 1 April an obligation for all Criminal Justice areas in England & Wales to operate at least one Witness Care Unit came into effect. Warwickshire is leading the way in this area with the pioneering Victim and Witness Information Partnership (VIP).
Launched in 2003, the VIP offers a comprehensive support and advice service to victims and witnesses of crime, helping them through what is often a difficult time as an offender is charged and appears in court. The services offered through VIP include practical information from experts drawn from the criminal justice agencies as well as the services of a dedicated Victim Support Officer.
Witness Care Officers ensure that victims and witnesses are kept informed about the status of their case, ensuring that they know what happens at each court appearance and that they are informed and given assistance if they are required to give evidence in court. VIP can also arrange for court visits prior to hearings so that the victim or witness is able to familiarise themselves with the court environment.
Earl Chilton is VIP Manager:
"Victims and witnesses are of vital importance in helping us to bring more offenders to justice, but we also recognise that being a victim or witness of crime puts people under immense stress and that the Criminal Justice System can appear complex and intimidating at such times. At VIP we are committed to providing people with the information they need about their case, explanation of the procedures involved in bringing the offender to justice, and helping them to access the support they need to overcome the traumatic experience of being a victim or witness of crime."
Among the other services offered by VIP are a provision for vulnerable witnesses to give evidence remotely via a TV link, arrangements for less formal hearings where younger witnesses may be involved and support from the Domestic Abuse Multi Agency Team (DAMAT).
