Victim Care

Experiencing or witnessing a crime can be traumatic. On this page, you’ll find information about the support available locally, details about your Rights as a victim, and links to partner organisations that can provide additional help.

Victim Rights 

If you have been a victim of crime, you have the right to receive a certain level of service from criminal justice agencies.

The Ministry of Justice published a Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, which is also known as the Victims Code. An easy read version, a children's version and versions in other languages can also be found through this link.

The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime explains what information, services and support victims of crime can expect to receive at every stage of their journey through the criminal justice system. 

The Victims’ Code details your rights as a victim or witness and summarises the types of support victims and witnesses of crime have the right to receive from police, courts, and other criminal justice agencies.

You have twelve ‘Rights’ as a victim of crime:

Please read this leaflet to find more information about what victims of crime should expect from each criminal justice agency.

Victim and witness support organisations

Victim Support Dorset

Victim Support has been commissioned by the Dorset Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to provide a support service to victims of crime in Dorset.

Victim Support is an independent charity which provides emotional and practical help to people who have been affected by crime in Dorset. They are there to help anyone affected by crime, not only those who experience it directly, but also their friends, family and any other people involved. The support is tailored to the needs of each person and there is a broad range of help available.

Victim Support Dorset provide free and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for people affected by crime and traumatic events – regardless of whether you have reported the crime to the police or not.

If you call the Dorset Victim Support Team, they will make sure you get the information and support you need in confidence. 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 provide practical and emotional support and will help you for as long as it takes to overcome the impact of crime.

Telephone: 0300 3030 163. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am-6.30pm. If you need support outside of these hours, call the Support Line for free on 08 08 16 89 111 
Website – Dorset Victim Support

Restorative Justice Dorset

Restorative justice gives victims the chance to meet or communicate with their offenders to explain the real impact of the crime – it empowers victims by giving them a voice. It can provide a means of closure and enable you to move on while providing an opportunity for offenders to take responsibility for their actions and understand their impact on others.

Restorative justice is not an alternative to the criminal justice system and does not allow an offender to “get off lightly”. Restorative justice can take place after criminal proceedings in court, or it can be used alongside an out of court disposal as one of the conditions which an offender needs to abide by.

Restorative justice services are commissioned by the Dorset Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and provided by Restorative Justice Dorset, who aim to offer anyone who comes into contact with the criminal justice system an opportunity to participate in restorative justice or restorative mediation.

They support positive communication between people harmed by crime and those responsible for the harm. This communication is not always in the form of a face-to-face meeting; the method of communication can vary depending on your needs.

Telephone: 07535 692669 or 07535 692584
Email: RJDorset@restorativesolutions.org.uk
Website: Restorative Justice Dorset

The Shores – Dorset Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) offer support to anyone that has been sexually assaulted or raped. They can offer medical, practical and emotional support as well as forensic examination.

The Shores is located in Bournemouth and provides coordinated, forensic, counselling and aftercare services to anyone living in Dorset that has experienced rape or sexual assault, either recent or non-recent.

The service is jointly commissioned by the OPCC, NHS England and Dorset Police to provide services including:

• Immediate crisis support,
• Forensic medical examination,
• Emergency contraception,
• Pregnancy testing,
• Sexual health screening,
• Risk assessments and referrals to other support agencies.

The service accepts self-referrals or referrals can be made via Dorset Police or other agencies. There is not a requirement to have reported to the police to access services from The Shores.

Telephone: 0800 970 9954 – contactable 24/7 – 365

Email: info@the-shores.org.uk
Website: The Shores

STARS Dorset – Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services

STARS Dorset is a pan-Dorset charity that provides practical and emotional support to anyone with a Dorset postcode, of any age or gender, that has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their life.

The ISVA service is in place to provide practical and emotional support as well as information and guidance to anyone who resides in Dorset and has experienced any form of sexual violence in their life and wishes to explore what options they have available to them. An ISVA is there to help the client make an informed decision when everything can feel confusing and out of control, understanding there can be a lot to deal with and the ISVA team is there to accompany, support and guide clients.

ISVAs can explain options and help clients make informed decisions as to whether they want to report to the police. If the client does decide to report, the ISVA will support the client throughout the whole process, for example: liaising with the police on their behalf, keeping the client informed about case progress and providing support before, during and after court. If the client chooses not to report to the police after working with an ISVA, the ISVA team will ensure the client has a network of support in place before closing.

The support provided by STARS Dorset is free of charge and does not require a report to the police. The service accepts self-referrals or referrals can be made via Dorset Police or other agencies.

The service is commissioned by the OPCC in partnership with NHS England.

STARS also have several specialist counselling services for victims of sexual assault.

If you require support from STARS Dorset, please contact them or visit their website for further information.

Telephone: 01202 308840 
Website STARS Dorset

Mankind – Pattern Changing Recovery Programme for Male Survivors of Domestic Abuse

The OPCC commissions Mankind to run a Pattern Changing Recovery Programme for Male Survivors of Domestic Abuse.

The courses are delivered by charity's team of expert qualified professionals to support male survivors of domestic abuse and help them move forward with their lives. The courses run for 9 weeks and are delivered online.

Access to the courses is available through a referral by a statutory agency or domestic abuse organisation. Self-referrals can also be made. The course includes a pre-course suitability assessment and one to one follow up session at completion.

For more information and/or to request the referral forms please contact acorn@mankind.org.uk

The You Trust

Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker:

The OPCC commissions the You Trust to provide an Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC). This role works with people who have been actively stalked and provides both practical and emotional support to improve their safety. This can be anything from supporting a move to a new address or understanding a police or justice system process or civil orders. This support is available to victims whether the police are involved or not but reporting to the police does mean more powers are available to protect victims and keep them safe.

You can be referred to an ISAC by the police or get in contact with the service directly.

Website: https://paragonteam.org.uk/teams/dorset 

Phone: 0800 032 5204

You can also get advice from the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300

Action Fraud

Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Telephone: 0300 123 2040
Website: Action Fraud   - You can report fraud or cyber crime using their online reporting service any time of the day or night.

You can report fraud or cyber crime to Action Fraud any time of the day or night using their online fraud reporting tool

Live Cyber Attacks - If you are a business, charity or other organisation which is currently suffering a live cyber attack (in progress), please call 0300 123 2040 immediately. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

National Stalking Helpline

Offers information and support for victims of stalking.
Telephone: 0808 802 0300 
Website: National Stalking Helpline | Suzy Lamplugh Trust

Prejudice Free Dorset

Prejudice Free Dorset aims to provide information and education to the public and other organisations, on hate crime and hate incidents. They are working to build the confidence of all communities to come forward and report hate incidents and crimes. Prejudice Free provide support and advice where it’s needed.

Website: Prejudice Free Dorset 

Intercom Trust

The Intercom Trust are an LGBT+ led charity, proudly working with 1000’s of people each year to improve wellbeing and inclusion across the region. Intercom Trust is a person-centred, client-led, inclusive charity and they support LGBT+ people they provide a safe, respectful, non-judgmental space for clients, in which to navigate a variety of issues.

Telephone: 0800 612 3010 
Website: Intercom Trust   

Access Dorset

Access Dorset is a self-led community which empowers disabled, learning disabled, neurodivergent and older people through support and skills development, in an inclusive environment where everyone is equally valued. Access Dorset provides information and advice on all issues relating to independent living.
Telephone: 01202 771336
Website: Access Dorset

If you have been a victim of crime, there are people available to help you. If you have not reported the crime to police, you can still access support.