Victim Support

Almost everyone gets hurt, attacked, bullied or has something stolen at some time. It’s a sad fact of life. Sometimes you can shrug your shoulders, but it’s normal to have feelings about it: anger, fear, upset or guilt.

It’s good to talk these feelings through with family or friends as bottling them up is probably not a good idea. You may find it easier to talk to someone who’s not so close to you, who’s not going to get upset or judgemental at anything you say and who understands crime and its effects on young people. That's where Victim Support can help.

Who are Victim Support?

Victim Support is an independent charity for anyone affected by crime. Not part of the police or government, they provide free trained support to both victims and witnesses of crime, ensuring you get the right information, help and support that you need.

Victim Support can be contacted by phone 0845 456 5995 (8am - 8pm, Mon - Fri) or email norfolk.referrals@victimsupport.org.uk

If the Norfolk office is closed then you can contact the National Victim Support line and speak to someone on 0845 30 30 900 (local call rate). Lines are open 9am - 9pm Mon - Fri and 9am - 7pm at weekends)

If you want to know more about the work of Victim Support visit: www.victimsupport.org or www.are-you-ok.org.uk

What happens next?

When you call Victim Support, you will speak to a member of staff who will ask about what’s happened to you.

They will then do a need assessment to find out the sort of help they can provide. They will ask for your name, address and phone number (you do not have to give them these details if you do not want to).

The support they give may be emotional, or it could be information, advice, practical help with safety and security and other services that can help you cope better after the crime.

If you need emotional support, they will ask a trained volunteer to contact you to discuss your situation and may arrange to meet with you to talk.

They will not pass on what you say to anyone else without your permission unless you or somebody else is at risk of harm and even then they wouldn’t do anything without talking with you first.

Victim Support can help you whether you decide to report a crime to the police or not. If you decide to tell the police about what’s happened to you, your Victim Support worker can arrange to be with you when you meet the police officer.

They can also help you to talk to other people, like a parent or a teacher if you are finding it difficult.