Victim Support can offer...
Staff, who you can talk to in confidence. Victim Support may not have someone who can speak your language, but we can arrange for interpreters.
Information on repairs and home security.
Advice on compensation, insurance and replacing important documents.
Victim Support can also arrange for a volunteer to accompany you to the police station or to court.
Victim Support is the national charity for victims of crime and aims to offer a service to all sections of the community. The following gives you information about what to do if your home is burgled.
Further information on the scheme is available on the victim support website:
Contact Details:
2nd Floor,
Select House
Popes Lane
Oldbury
B69 4PA
Telephone: 0121 569 7980
Fax: 0121 552 9481
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Charity No: 1091444 Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm
What is violence?
Violence can include verbal abuse, threats and even physical assault. It can take place in the home, on the street, when you are at work or with your friends. Most violence is carried out by someone the victim knows.
Violence takes different forms. It might be a racial attack, an assault on a woman by her partner or an incident at work.
Everyone has the right to live without fear. When your safety is shattered by violence, you may be left with feelings which are as difficult to cope with as any physical injuries you have.
People who have been threatened or attacked often say they feel upset, afraid and mistrustful of other people. You might feel angry that it happened to you, or lose confidence or feel guilty or depressed.
Men and women sometimes have difficulty sleeping or eating after a violent incident. Many people are afraid the attack will happen again and become concerned about their safety.
All these reactions are normal, and, with time, they usually fade.
Some people have to come to terms with the long term physical effects of an assault - like disability or scarring.
It may help to talk to someone about what has happened to you. It may be difficult to talk to family and friends. Support and understanding are important and it helps to have someone to talk to in confidence.
Victim Support: How we help
Victim Support volunteers are trained to give information, practical help and emotional support to people who have been threatened or assaulted.
Victims of crime are normally put in touch with Victim Support by the police. You can also make direct contact with Victim Support yourself, whether or not you want to report the crime to the police.
Victim Support volunteers can accompany you to the police station and to court. They can also give you information about police and court procedures and compensation. They can liaise with others if you need different kinds of help.
The service is confidential and free.
If you are a relative or the friend of someone who has been threatened or assaulted you may also be able to get help from Victim Support.
If you would like to talk to someone in confidence, contact your nearest Victim Support Scheme.
Physical Injuries
If you did not get medical treatment after the attack, and you are now feeling pain or discomfort, you should have your injuries checked by your doctor.
If you are unable to work because of your injuries, you should tell your employer. Your employer may ask you to fill in a self-certificate form or to get a sick note from your doctor or the hospital to show that you are sick. You may be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you are sick for four days or more. Your employer may pay you more than this depending on your contract of employment. If you are not eligible for SSP from your employer, or if you are sel-employed or unemployed and if you are under the state age for retirement you may be able to get Incapacity Benefit. You should fill in a claim form which you can pick up at doctors, hospitals or social security offices. You should send this completed form to your social security office. This must be done within 3 months of the first day for which you are claiming benefit. If you are not eligible for SSP or Incapacity Benefit you may be able to claim Income Support.
For more information about benefits please contact the Benefits Agency (local office and freeline number are listed in the phone book) or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).
Reporting the crime to the police
People who have been threatened or assaulted usually decide for themselves whether to report the assault to the police. It may help to talk this over with someone first. Victim Support can help with this.
If you intend to claim criminal injuries compensation you must have reported the attack to the police straight away.
If you have not already reported the threat or the assault, you can still do so if you wish, even if it is some time later.
The police may take a statement from you and should let you know if someone has been arrested and cautioned or charged.
Always tell the police if you are afraid that the person who attacked you might try to contact you. You should tell the police if your attacker actually does contact or threaten you. This information may be important for any decisions which are made about bail or other aspects of your case.
When the police charge someone, they pass the evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service who then decide whether to take the case to court.
Victim Support
Every year Victim Support helps thousands of victims of violence. Victim Support aims to offer a comprehensive service to all sections of the community and is committed to ensuring that minority and disadvantaged groups are welcomed and involved throughout the organisation.