Skip to main content
N I Direct government services

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • Contacts
  • Help
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Crime, justice and the law
  3. Victims and witnesses

Coming forward as a victim

Being a victim of crime, can be an upsetting and confusing experience. However, criminal justice bodies will treat you with respect and sensitivity. This page explains the justice process, from the time a crime is reported, and the support available to you.

Reporting a crime

No crime is too trivial to report. It might seem to be a minor crime but it can still be very upsetting. The police will take you and your case seriously.

If you are a victim of crime, or if you have witnessed a crime, you should contact the police as soon as possible.

  • Reporting a crime

Support services

Once you report a crime,  the police will pass your contact details to Victim Support NI. Victim Support NI is an independent local charity, working with victims of crime or abuse.  

They will contact you to offer help and support. If you don't want your name passed on, you should tell the police officer dealing with your case.

Even if you don't report the crime to the police, you can still contact Victim Support NI for help and support.

  • Help and support for victims

Police investigation

The police will investigate the crime you have reported and check what support you need.

The police may ask you to make a statement. To do this an officer will ask you questions to find out what happened. The police realise that talking about what has happened can be difficult.

The police will update you within 10 days and tell you whether a suspect has been identified. If there is no suspect or there is not enough evidence, they might close the investigation.

For less serious crimes, the police may deal with the case through ‘police discretion’. This means the case does not have to go to court.

If a person is charged with the crime they may either be released on police bail or detained in police custody.

  • Police procedures

Going to court

After the crime has been investigated, if the police send a file to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), a prosecutor will decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to go to court and whether it is in the public interest.

In some cases, the prosecutor may decide against bringing a case to court. An alternative to prosecution, such as a caution, may be used.

The Victim and Witness Care Unit, of the PPS, will let you know the decision. 

  • Why a case goes to court

If the case is going to court, you can get information on how to make a victim personal statement. Victim Support will also tell you whether you have to give evidence at court.

Preparing for court

Depending on your age, you can get support from Victim Support NI’s Witness Service (for adults aged 18 or over) or the NSPCC’s Young Witness Service (if you are under 18). This may include visiting the court so that you have a better idea of what to expect.

  • Going to court as a victim or witness

The trial and giving evidence

You might not need to give evidence in court.

If you have to give evidence, the Victim and Witness Care Unit will tell you what's happening, what you need to do and to give you help and support. 

If you have certain other needs, some extra help (known as ‘special measures’) may be provided if you want this and the judge agrees.

To read about special measures, go to:

  • Witness services and special court measures

To read more about what happens in a jury trial at court, go to:

  • What happens at a jury trial

Outcome of the trial

The Victim and Witness Care Unit will tell you about the verdict. If the defendant is found guilty, or pleads guilty, they will tell you about any sentence given and what this means.

  • Verdicts and sentencing

Sentencing, probation and prison

If the offender who committed a crime against you has been found guilty and sentenced to time in prison, hospital or on probation you can register to receive and give information about them. This could be the offender’s release date or giving your views on temporary release applications.

The police and the Public Prosecution Service’s Victim and Witness Care Unit will give you information about the relevant victim information scheme.

Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on Twitter (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

Victims and witnesses

  • Coming forward as a victim
  • Coming forward as a witness
  • Help and support for victims
  • Victim Charter
  • Victim impact statements
  • Victim information schemes

Translation help

How to translate this page

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?
Report a problem
Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

Messages

You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

What is your question about?

What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

Related sites

  • gov.uk
  • nibusinessinfo.co.uk

Links to supporting information

  • Accessibility statement
  • Crown copyright
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS