Victims and Witnesses - What happens next?

After the court case

The end of the court case may not be the end of the story.

Everyone is different. Some people are able to carry on, some people are so upset by what has happened to them that they find it hard to carry on with their lives.

You may feel:

• Sick
• Stressed
• Anxious
• Frightened
• Find it hard to eat
• Find it hard to sleep
• Find it difficult to concentrate

It is important to remember that being a victim of crime is not your fault.

Talking to someone you trust can help.

You can talk to friends, family, people at school, the police, your Witness Care Officer, Victim Support.

Victim Support is a charity which helps the victims of crime. They can help you talk about your experience and find ways to come to terms with the experience.

"Victim Support - you should go because they know how to talk and help with what I'm going through."

Find out more in a Victim's Story »

Staying Safe

There are some things you can do to help you feel safer and reduce the risk of being a victim of crime.

• Tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to get back.
• Avoid dark or lonely short cuts.
• Avoid underpasses in the dark.
• Stay in a group.
• Work out where the safe places are on your route. Safe places are usually well lit with lots of people, like shops and main roads.
• Keep things like money, mobile phones and music players hidden. The most common things for young people to have stolen are money and mobile phones. (The victimisation of young people: findings from the Crime and Justice Survey 2003, Home Office.)
• Never get a lift from a stranger.
• Trust your instincts - if you feel unsafe get to safety.
• Walk confidently.
• If anyone tries to take your possessions let them - you are more important than your possessions.
• If anyone attacks you shout loudly - shout for people to call the police.

Find out more about how to keep safe at The Suzy Lamplugh website »