Your Rights, Explained

Understanding the Victims’ Code

The 12 Rights in the Victims’ Code

Here’s a breakdown of the key rights:

1. To be able to understand and be understood – with interpreters, easy-read formats, or adjustments for disabilities.

2. To have details of the crime recorded promptly and accurately.

3. To be given clear information when reporting a crime.

4. To be referred to support services such as Victim Support, Rape Crisis, or domestic abuse organisations.

5. To be provided with information about compensation – through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)

6. To be kept informed about the investigation and prosecution.

7. To make a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) explaining the impact on you.

8. To be given information about the trial and your role as a witness.

9. To be told about the outcome of the case and any appeals.

10. To be paid expenses have property returned.

11. To be given information about the offender following a conviction; including the offender’s sentence and release through the Victim Contact Scheme.

12. To make a complaint if your rights are not met.

When you’ve experienced crime, the justice system can feel overwhelming, confusing, or even alienating. To make sure victims and survivors are treated fairly, the government created the Victims’ Code - formally known as the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime. It sets out the rights you are entitled to whenever you engage with the police, courts, or other criminal justice agencies in England and Wales.

Knowing about these rights can make a real difference. They ensure you are not just a witness in your own case, but someone whose voice, safety, and wellbeing matter.

What is the Victims’ Code?

The Victims’ Code is a legal framework that guarantees 12 specific rights to victims of crime. These rights are designed to give you:

• Clear information

• Protection and support.

• A say in the process.

• Help to recover from the impact of crime.

Every organisation in the criminal justice system — from the police to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to the courts - has a duty to uphold these rights.

Who Does It Apply To?

The Victims’ Code applies to anyone who has suffered harm because of crime, including:

• Victims of sexual violence or domestic abuse.

• People injured, threatened, or harassed.

• Families of someone who has died because of crime.

• Parents or guardians supporting children who are victims.

It doesn’t matter if you decide to report the crime or not — some rights apply automatically, while others depend on whether you are engaging with the justice process.

Helpful Resources from Victim Support

Victim Support have some really helpful resources to help you understand your rights - including downloadable guides in English and Welsh, a young person’s guide, and an easy-read version.

See the link below.

What Happens If Your Rights Aren’t Upheld?

Sadly, many survivors find that their rights under the Victims’ Code are not always respected. You might not receive updates, your VPS may not be taken, or you may feel excluded from key decisions.

If this happens, you are entitled to take action. The steps usually are:

1. Raise it informally first
   Speak directly with the officer in charge of your case, your ISVA/IDVA, or the Witness Care Unit.
   Sometimes rights are overlooked due to workload or oversight, and a reminder can help put things back on track.
   

2. Make a formal complaint
   Each criminal justice agency (police, CPS, courts, probation, etc.) has a complaints procedure.
   In your complaint, state clearly which of your 12 Victims’ Code rights you feel were not met, and provide any examples. Agencies are required to take this matter seriously and respond accordingly.
   

3. Escalate if needed
   If you are unhappy with the agency’s response, you can escalate your complaint. For example, to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) if it involves the police, or to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman via your MP if another agency fails you.
   

4. Victims’ Right to Review (VRR)
   If your case is dropped or not charged, you have the legal right to ask for a review.
   This process means that another prosecutor (not the one who made the initial decision) will review the evidence to determine if the decision was correct.
   Both the police and the CPS have their own VRR schemes, and your ISVA or IDVA can help you apply.
   

5. Seek advocacy support
   An ISVA, IDVA, or Victim Support worker can help you navigate these processes, draft complaints, and ensure your concerns are heard.
   Specialist organisations can also highlight systemic failings and apply pressure where needed.

Why This Matters

When your rights are ignored, it’s not just frustrating - it can deepen trauma and erode trust in the system. The Victims’ Code exists to prevent this by giving you clear entitlements, and routes to challenge when they’re not met.

Remember:

You do not have to accept poor treatment.

Upholding your rights is a legal duty, not an optional extra.

Speaking up can help not only your case, but also improve the system for others.