Victim support — Victim Support · the UK

Direct answer

Every EU country must offer victims free support, information and, for violent crime, state compensation — regardless of whether the offender is caught. Victim Support — 0808 168 9111 (0808 168 9111) is the victim-support service for the UK: emotional support, help with the police and the court, practical help with insurers and employers, and the compensation application. Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency) (101) takes the report; ask for your rights as a victim in writing and for updates on the case. Civil Legal Advice / Citizens Advice / Law Centres (0345 345 4 345) covers legal costs if you need a lawyer in the proceedings.

Call firstVictim Support — 0808 168 9111

Report toPolice — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)

If that failsCivil Legal Advice / Citizens Advice / Law Centres

🗣️ What to say

"I was the victim of [crime] on [date]; police report [number]. I would like support with [the procedure / compensation / practical matters] and to be informed about my rights and the progress of the case."

🪜 Step by step

Report if you have notRights as a victim — information, protection, compensation — mostly start with the report.
Contact Victim Support — 0808 168 9111They call you back, explain what happens next, and stay with you through the process.
Ask for updatesYou have the right to be informed of the decision to prosecute, the trial date and the release of the offender, if you ask.
CompensationFrom the offender in the criminal case, from insurers, and for violent crime from the state fund — Victim Support — 0808 168 9111 files it with you. Deadlines apply (often 1–3 years).
Legal aid: Civil Legal Advice / Citizens Advice / Law CentresFor a lawyer to join the case as a civil party, free below an income threshold.

📇 All contacts

Victim Support — 0808 168 9111Free, confidential victim support; CICA compensationAfter any crime📞 0808 168 9111 🔗 www.victimsupport.org.uk

Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)Local police for any crime that is not fraudBurglary, theft, threats, stalking📞 101 🔗 www.police.uk

Civil Legal Advice / Citizens Advice / Law CentresLegal aid on low income, free adviceWhen you cannot afford a solicitor📞 0345 345 4 345 🔗 www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice

Rape Crisis — 24/7 support line 0808 500 2222 / SARCsSupport and forensic care after sexual violence, no report neededAnytime📞 0808 500 2222 🔗 rapecrisis.org.uk

❓ Frequently asked

The offender was never found

State compensation for violent crime does not depend on a conviction; it depends on the report and the injury.

I was a victim in another EU country

You can report at home and the report is transferred; support services cooperate across borders. Victim Support — 0808 168 9111 starts the process.

Can I get protection from the offender?

Protection orders, address confidentiality and separate waiting rooms at court exist; ask Victim Support — 0808 168 9111 and the police explicitly.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“victim support the UK”
“crime victim compensation the UK”
“victim rights information case”
“help after crime free”
“state compensation violent crime”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

Your tools for the UK

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · the UKElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in the UK, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.

🤲 I was the victim of a crime — what help and compensation can I get?