Victim Support
In this section
Summary
If you are a victim of violence and abuse in a retail setting this section will provide you with information on the support available to you as an employer or employee.
Section 1: The employer’s responsibilities
Support for the business you work in
This link shows a Charter that can be used to benchmark what your business has in place to keep colleagues safe but also to consider further training or education for employees.
Section 2: Victims’ code
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime is a statutory Government document which sets out the information, support and services that victims of crime are entitled to receive from criminal justice agencies in England and Wales. These criminal justice agencies include the police and Crown Prosecution Service. More information on the victims code and support available can be found at the gov.uk website.
Section 3: Steps to take
As an employer you will need to check the following steps have been taken:
- Reported the incident to Police i.e. 999, 101, online (Reporting section provides further guidance on how to do this)
- Reported the incident via an internal reporting tool. Checked if any health and safety risk assessments or other documents need to be completed. Link to information on the Health and Safety Executive website here.
- Employees have completed assigned training modules e.g. keeping safe, conflict management. For information on De-escalation training click here.
Section 4: Victim services and victim care
The Ministry of Justice Victim and Witness Information website will signpost you to the services available in your area by entering a post code.
Visit Victim and Witness Information.
Victim Business Impact Statements:
Under the Victims’ Code, all businesses or enterprises (such as charities) that have had criminal offences committed against them are entitled to make an Impact Statement for Business (ISB) to set out how the offence(s) have affected the business.
Claiming compensation:
Visit Victim and Witness Information.
Other industry related support services:
Grocery Aid - Colleagues working in any area of the industry can access support. This includes manufacturing, supermarkets, independent retailers, wholesalers, distribution, sales and all support functions. Visit their website or call 08088 021 122.
Section 1: What to expect from your employer
Options that may be provided by the business you work for include:
- Company policies for guidance and reference
- Training on process, tools and equipment to educate and reduce risk
- Process to report and record incidents
- Avenue to raise concerns and/or escalate internally
- Anonymous ‘Speak-up/Whistleblowing’ system if you are not happy with the level of support you have received
- Access to support services e.g. counselling
Section 2: Victims’ Code
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime is a statutory Government document which sets out the information, support and services that victims of crime are entitled to receive from criminal justice agencies in England and Wales. These criminal justice agencies include the police and Crown Prosecution Service. More information on the victims code and support available can be found at the gov.uk website.
Under the Victims' Code, support for victims of crime includes:
- Being kept informed about the police investigation into the crime, including if a suspect is arrested or charged.
- If a suspect is bailed, their bail conditions must be explained to you. This also includes if their conditions change.
- Being informed of what to expect if you need to give evidence in court, including the help and support on offer to you through the Witness Care Unit.
- The ability to apply for special measures in court. This is to help you give your best evidence if you are under 18 or an adult who is vulnerable or intimidated.
- Being able to join the Victim Contact Scheme. This means you will be told when an offender will be released, should they have been sentenced to a year or more in prison for a violent or sexual offence against you.
- Having the ability to apply for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
- Receiving information about Restorative Justice. This allows the victim to explain to the offender the impact the crime has had on the victim.
- Being able to complain if you don’t receive what you should under the Victims' Code. You also have the right for your complaint to be handled professionally and quickly.
Section 3: Steps to take
As a victim you will need to check the following steps have been taken:
- Reported the incident via an internal reporting tool.
- Reported the incident to Police i.e. 999, 101, online (Reporting section provides further guidance on how to do this).
- Speak to your manager about the support services that are on offer within your company.
- Completed assigned training modules e.g. keeping safe, conflict management.
Section 4: Victim Services and Victim Care
The Ministry of Justice Victim and Witness Information website will signpost you to the services available in your area by entering a post code. Funding for this website comes through the Police and Crime Commissioners office.
Visit Victim and Witness Information
Victim personal statement:
The Victim Personal Statement gives victims an opportunity to explain how the crime has affected them, physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially or in any other way.
Claiming compensation:
Visit Victim and Witness Information.
Other industry related support services:
Grocery Aid - Colleagues working in any area of the industry can access support. This includes manufacturing, supermarkets, independent retailers, wholesalers, distribution, sales and all support functions. Visit their website or call 08088 021 122.
Restorative Justice:
Restorative Justice is a process that allows people affected by crime to communicate with the person responsible and can result in a face to face meeting. It can be powerful in cases of retail crime for both employees and employers.
For employees, Restorative Justice can allow them to discuss the impacts of the crime, repair the harm caused by it and build their confidence in the workplace.
For employers, working restoratively can help you to understand how employees are affected by retail crime, and to work with them to find solutions which work for everybody in the store.
Restorative Justice can also reduce reoffending rates by helping the person responsible to understand the impact of their actions.
The Victims’ Code provides helpful information on Restorative Justice and how this can be used to support a victim of crime.
More information can be found on the Restorative Justice Council website.
Here is a video by Restorative Justice charity Why me? on how Restorative Justice can work for cases of retail crime.