Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU)

Introduction

We stand with victims: the Defence Victim Witness Care Unit

The VWCU is part of the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) within the Ministry of Defence.

TheIndependent VWCUof isthe independentArmy, of Royal Navy,Air ArmyForce and Royal AirNavy Force chains of commandcommand, andthe willVWCU provideprovides a central point of contact tofor victims and witnesses of serious crimescrime committed by persons subject to service lawlaw, in the UK and overseas.abroad.

TheIn the VWCU provideswe:

• provide support to victims and witnesses,witnesses - both serving personnel and civilians,civilians
• ensure ensuring that each victim is affordedaware theirof rights in accordance with the codeoptions ofavailable practiceto for victims of crime (JSP 839).

  The VWCU will:

  them
  • empower victims and witnesses to make informed decisions
  • coordinate access to support for victims of crime
  • focus on the well-being of victims and witnesses
  • act as a central point of contact for victims and witnesses throughout the Service Justice System
  • maintain compliance with the code of practice for victims of crime (JSP 839)

  What we will do

  TheWe VWCUwork works with victims of crime who are entitled to an enhanced serviceservice, in accordance with the Victimscode Codeof practice for victims of Practicecrime guidelines.(JSP 839).

  This includes:

  Victims of

  • victims of a serious offence.

    Persistentlyoffence

  • persistently targeted victims,victims who have been a victim of crime repeatedlyrepeatedly, - for example being targeted, harassed or stalked.

    Vulnerablestalked

  • intimidated victimsvictims, whose quality of evidence may be affected becausedue they:
    • areto underthe 18
    • sufferbehaviour fromof athe mentalsuspect, healththe condition
    • havesuspect’s afriends physicaland disability,family, aor learningthe difficultyvictim’s religious or socialcultural impairmentbeliefs

    Intimidated

  • vulnerable victims,victims whose quality of evidence may be affected duebecause tothey behaviourare ofunder the18; suspecthave ora themental suspect’shealth friendscondition, andor family,have ora thephysical victim’sdisability, religiouslearning difference or culturalsocial beliefs.
    impairment

  The role of a Victim Liaison Officer (VLO)

  TheIf roleyou ofare a Victimvictim Liaisonor Officerwitness, you will be automatically referred to the VWCU when a serious crime is to:reported to the Service Police.

  The VWCU will allocate you a VLO, who will be your central point of contact and remain with you throughout the process.

  The VLO will:

  • make contact with theyou victim to complete a detailed needs assessment toand identify the level of support required
  • coordinate referrals to support services that may be of benefit to enhancedyou, victimswhich – only take place with theiryour consent
  • maintain regular contact to ensure you get the right support
  • act as a central point of contact for victims throughout your their journey ofthrough the Service Justice System and beyond,beyond

  You wheredon’t required

• maintainhave regularto be referred to the VWCU; you can contact withus for advice if you are unsure on what to do next. Our team will then advise on the victimoptions available to ensurehelp theiryou rightsmake arean beinginformed met

decision.

We adopt a multi-agency approach, while working with partners to provide victims and witnesses access to specialist support.

This may include:

• independent domestic violence advisors
• independent sexual violence advisors
• victim support

Contact the VWCU

Phone: 07974 074259 (8am to 4pm - Monday to Thursday, 8am to 3.30pm - Friday)

Email: people-dscc-vwcugroup@mod.gov.uk

We aim to respond to your email within five5 working days, but if you require a response sooner, please call onus the number provided or highlight the urgency in anyour email.

Telephone: 07974 074 259 from 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3.30pm Friday

Write to:

In an emergency, always call 999. This includes:includes where:

• where a serious offence is in progress or has just been committed
• someone is in immediate danger or harm
• property is in danger of being damaged
• a serious disruption to the public is likely

What to expect if you report a crime to the Service Police

Being a victim of or a witness toof a crime can be difficult and distressingdistressing, and you may not know very much about the Service Justice System.

The decision on whether to report an incident may not be an easy one to taketake, and we understand that you may prefer not to.

If you decide to report a crime to the policepolice, they will take information about the offenceoffence, and the crime will be recorded. You will then be given a crime reference number, and you may be asked to provide a statement.

InvestigationDuring an investigation

The Service Police will record your account of what happened. This is called a statement‘statement of complaintcomplaint’ or witness‘witness statement.statement’.

In some circumstancescircumstances, you may have your evidence may be visually recorded by specially trained interviewersinterviewers, and in a specialist interviewing facility. This could be due to your age (if under 18), the type of offence being investigatedinvestigated, or whetherif you are feeling vulnerable or intimidated. ThisThe willapproach beis decided by the Service Police officerofficer, who will conduct a victim needs assessment with you before you provide evidence.

The Service Police may need to take evidence from you, such as fingerprintsfingerprints, or forensic evidence, or they may need to look at your phone. If you have been injured, they may also need to take photographs of your injuries.

The Service Police will explain to you at each step what evidence they need, and why they need it. If you have had medical treatment, the Service Police will need your written consent before they can obtain any medical evidence about you.it. 

WhatEnd happens at the end of an investigation

After the Service Police have concluded their investigation, the evidence will be assessed, and a decision will be made ason to whether the Service Police consider there isto be sufficient evidence to refer the case for a charging decision.

Cases can be referred either to the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) oror, to the suspect’s Commanding Officer, depending on the type of offence, to the suspect’s Commanding Officer, who will then decide whether to instigate proceedings and direct the case to Court Martial or Summary Hearing.

Your VLO can explain this process in further detail.

WhatWhere happenscases ifare my case is not referred

If the Service Police decide not to refer your case, you can ask them to review that decision.

If the SPA or the suspect’s Commanding Officer,Officer after receiving the case, decide not to instigate proceedings,proceedings after receiving the case, you can ask for the decision to be reviewed.

Your VLO will provide you with further information and can assist you with thisthe required process.

WhatWhen happensa if my case goes to court

Pre-trial court visits

Most victims and witnesswitnesses will not have been to court,court before, and a pre-trial court visit is a useful way to become familiar with the courtenvironment in advance of thea trial.

Simply seeing the court, and where you and everyone else will be standing,standing may make the process easier. You can also use an alternative court entrance if you are worried about seeing the defendant when you arrive.

Your VLO can assist you with making thesethose arrangements.

The trial

You will meet the prosecutor at court and have time to read through your statements before you give evidence.

Enhanced supportsupport, such as special measuresmeasures, are available in certain circumstances,circumstances. theseThese are measures put in place to help intimidated and vulnerable victims to give their best possible evidence in court.

Special Measuresmeasures can include giving evidence from behind a screen, so the victim or witness does not have to see the defendant, or giving evidence by live link.

These measures extend to witnesses and can be used, if the court allows, in any case.

Your VLO will discuss these measures in further detail to help you understand how they can support you.

Other victim and witness specialist support

To ensure that all victims and witnesses of crime receive the support they need, the following specialist helplines are available:

• support for victims and witnesses of crime
• support for victims of sexual violence and abuse
• support for victims of domestic abuse
• support if you are worried about hurting someone
• armed forces domestic abuse: a handbook for civilian support services
• armed forces domestic abuse: worldwide support

Latest news

New investigative unit launched to handle serious criminal offences across defence

MOD to establish Defence Serious Crime Unit

Related information

Defence Serious Crime Unit

Defence Serious Crime Command

Services to be provided by the armed forces to victims of crime (JSP 839)

The role of the Independent Sexual Violence Adviser

Aurora Abuse in the British Army and Royal Navy Support Service - Aurora New Dawn

Manual of service law (MSL)

The Military Court Service

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme