Know your rights if you become a victim of crime

Wolverhampton City Council is supporting a campaign to ensure crime victims understand their legal rights and entitlements from criminal justice agencies.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, is backing the initiative launched by West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and Victims' Advocate Natalie Queiroz MBE.

What the Victims' Code covers

The Victims' Code sets out minimum rights and services that victims of crime should receive from criminal justice agencies. These include:

The right to have details of the crime recorded without unjustified delay; to be provided with information when reporting the crime; to be referred to victim support services; to make a victim personal statement; and to make a complaint if those rights are not met.

Campaign activity across the region

Over the coming weeks, adverts carrying the message 'Victim? Don't lose sight of your rights' will appear on mobile phones, digital billboards, and inside buses and trains across the West Midlands.

Staff have already attended the Mander Centre to inform shoppers about the Victims' Code and available support. The campaign is also reaching students and staff at the University of Wolverhampton's welcome fair this week.

Councillor Ahmed said: "No one should feel alone if they become a victim of crime. Knowing your rights is an important first step in getting the help, support and information you need."

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster stated: "The Victims' Code exists to protect victims, survivors and witnesses. It sets out clear minimum rights and entitlements which criminal justice agencies must provide, yet far too many people do not know these rights exist."

West Midlands Victims' Advocate Natalie Queiroz MBE added: "Every victim deserves to understand their rights from the very beginning of their journey throughout the whole criminal justice system. By raising awareness, we are helping to empower victims to ask for the support, information and services they are entitled to receive."