Victim Support
Helping Cambridgeshire residents cope with crime...
Victim Support is an independent charity for people affected by crime - victims and witnesses, their families and friends.
Services for Victims
Trained volunteers offer free and confidential information, support and practical help to victims of crime and their families. Crimes include burglary, assault, harrassment, domestic violence, rape and murder.
Each year Victim Support receives 16,000 referrals of victims of crime in Cambridgeshire alone.
The national charity has offices in Cambridge, Huntingdon and Peterborough, each of which is manned on a part-time basis by teams of trained volunteers, who provide support on the phone.
Victim Support's services are free, independent of the Police and Courts, and available to everyone, regardless of whether the crime's been reported or when it happened.
Victim Support Plus
Cambridgeshire's one of the first areas in England and Wales to provide Victim Support Plus, an enhanced service for victims.
The new Victim Support Plus unit opened on 12 May 2008. The unit now operates from 8am to 8pm - an extension of its previous hours.
Under the scheme volunteers telephone each victim that's been referred to Victim Support.
They assess their needs and where appropriate, commission services for them.
The number to call for Victim Support Plus is: 0845 3899523.
Services for Witnesses
Victim Support also provides a Witness Service in every Crown and Magistrates' Court in the county.
Teams of trained volunteers are available to support witnesses when they attend to give evidence in criminal trials.
They can arrange a conducted tour of the courtroom before the trial and provide unbiased information about procedures.
Contacting the Witness Service
The Witness Service can be contacted on the following numbers:
- Cambridge Crown Court: 01223 488378
- Cambridge and Ely Magistrates' Courts: 01223 845596
- Huntingdon Combined Court: 01480 450449
- Peterborough Crown Court: 01733 559050
- Peterborough Magistrates' Court: 01733 565638
- Wisbech Magistrates' Court: 01945 475120
Volunteering
The services provided by Victim Support and the Witness Service are delivered free of charge by trained volunteers, all of whom have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.
The charity would like to hear from people of good character, aged 18 and over, who wish to train as volunteers.
To support victims of crime, you'll need to offer at least two hours (flexible) each week.
To volunteer for the Witness Service, you'll need to attend court at least one day each fortnight.
Victim Support also welcomes those who can help with administration, Information Technology, fundraising and interpreting.
The organisation welcomes volunteers from diverse communities and from all walks of life so that it can better serve its varied victims and witnesses.
For more information contact 0845 3899523 or your nearest court.