What we do
The Staffordshire Victim Gateway puts the needs of victims at the heart of everything it does and acknowledges that those needs will differ by the crime type and the person, which is why our service prides itself on offering a very flexible and person-centred approach to working with victims and their families.
How we can help
The Victim Gateway offers both telephone and one-to-one support to help victims cope and recover from the impact of crime. Some victims require only information, advice and guidance from our highly knowledgeable Contact and Assessment team, where some may need more intensive and personal support, we can offer them access to their own Victim Care Coordinator (VCC).
The Contact and Assessment team make direct contact with all victims over the telephone or via letters/email, who have reported a crime to the police and will receive incoming telephone calls into the service. They can provide information advice and guidance around what a person may need as a victim of crime, emotional support and will refer to other services if the victim wants them too including referral into the VCC and Restorative Justice teams.
Led by the victim, the VCC will create individualised support plans which include a range of interventions to help build resilience, to aid recovery in individuals and help them navigate the Criminal Justice process that they find themselves in. Support can include anything that helps the victim at this very challenging time but often includes a combination of emotional and practical support, advocacy with other agencies, crime prevention advice and accessing Specialist support where appropriate. They will meet victims face to face in their own home or a suitable place of the victim’s choice including attending court and other relevant appointments.
We aim to take as much pressure off victims as we can by liaising on their behalf with other agencies who may become involved in the victim’s journey, ensuring victims are kept informed at every stage of the criminal justice process. We work closely with Staffordshire Police, Officers in Charge of investigations, Witness Care Units and other specialist services to ensure victims are in receipt off their entitlements under the Victims Code of Practice.
Victim Gateway Service can help you:
- Access specialist support services by making referrals on your behalf
- Access digital support platforms such as My Support Space www.mysupportspace.org.uk; where you can access crime prevention information and advice
- Explore the option of Restorative Justice
- Apply for Criminal Injuries Compensation
- Report the crime to the police, if you want to
- Understand what will happen if your case goes to court
- Advocate with other services
- Address other issues you may have as a result of becoming a victim of crime
What happens when I contact the Victim Gateway?
You can contact the Victim Gateway in the first instance by phone or email.
When you contact us, a member of our team will introduce our service, explain confidentiality and establish your preferred method of contact whether it be by phone, text or email.
We will listen and talk to you about your experience; how it has affected you and those around you, and we will assess what help you may need.
We will provide you with information to answer any immediate questions you may have. We can provide you with resources to help understand areas such as ‘Making a Victim Personal Statement’ or ‘How to make a Criminal Injuries Compensation claim’.
We recognise there will be times where other organisations are better placed to help you. We have a network of services and will introduce you to them with your consent, to offer continued and specialist support.