For Victims of Crime
Understand the support and legal rights available to you after experiencing crime, including your rights under the Victims' Code.
Common Problems
Your Rights
Your Rights as a Crime Victim
Your rights under the Victims' Code if you are a victim of crime, including information, support, and compensation.
Your Rights as a Victim of Crime
Your rights under the Victim's Code — support, information, and compensation after being a victim of crime.
Your Rights as a Witness in Court
Your rights and protections when called to give evidence as a witness in criminal or civil proceedings.
Your Rights as a Victim of Modern Slavery
Your legal rights if you are or have been a victim of slavery, forced labour, or human trafficking in the UK.
Key Legal Topics
Criminal Law
Offences against persons and property, defences, sentencing, and criminal procedure.
Police Powers (PACE)
Powers of stop and search, arrest, detention, and investigation under PACE 1984 and its Codes of Practice.
Modern Slavery & Trafficking
Offences of slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Useful Guides
Reporting a Crime
How to report a crime to the police, what happens next, and your rights as a victim.
Safety Planning and Legal Remedies for Domestic Abuse
How to safety plan, access legal protection, and obtain emergency court orders if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
Reporting Online Harassment
A practical guide to reporting online harassment, abuse, and stalking to platforms, the police, and other authorities.
Reporting a Hate Crime
How to report a hate crime or hate incident in England and Wales, and what happens to the case afterwards. Explains the legal test for a hate crime, why perception rather than proof of motive is enough for it to be recorded, and how courts must treat proven hostility as an aggravating factor at sentencing.
Applying for a Restraining Order
How to obtain a restraining order under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 to protect yourself from harassment or stalking.
Applying for a Restraining Order or Non-Molestation Order
This guide is about non-molestation orders under section 42 of the Family Law Act 1996 — civil, family-court injunctions that stop an 'associated person' (partner, ex-partner, relative or co-parent) from using or threatening violence, or from intimidating, harassing or pestering you. That is a different order to a criminal restraining order, which a criminal court can impose on conviction (now under the Sentencing Act 2020) or, on acquittal, under section 5A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for Modern Slavery
How victims of modern slavery and human trafficking in England & Wales are identified and supported through the NRM.
What Happens at an Inquest
A guide to the inquest process — who is involved, what happens, and how to participate as an interested person.
Letter Templates
Harassment Evidence Log
Structured log for recording incidents of harassment, stalking, or abuse, formatted for use in police reports, civil injunction applications, and employment grievances.
Formal Complaint About Police Conduct
Formal complaint to a police force's Professional Standards Department about the conduct of police officers, pursuant to the Police Reform Act 2002.
Legal Tools & Calculators
Common Scenarios
I Need to Apply for a Non-Molestation Order Urgently
You are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate legal protection. A non-molestation order can be obtained from the Family Court — often on the same day — without the abuser being told in advance.
What Happens If Someone Posts False Accusations About You Online?
False online accusations that damage your reputation may constitute defamation (libel) under English law. The Defamation Act 2013 introduced a 'serious harm' threshold and important new defences.
Can You Take Legal Action for Online Harassment?
Persistent online harassment may give rise to both civil and criminal remedies. The law has expanded significantly to address cyber-harassment and stalking.
Frequently asked questions
- Who can I contact for immediate help after experiencing serious crime or domestic abuse?
- If you have experienced serious crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, or modern slavery, you should seek specialist legal advice or contact a dedicated support organisation as soon as it is safe to do so. The text specifically mentions Victim Support, Women's Aid, and the Refuge helpline as sources for immediate help. If you are seeking a non-molestation or occupation order, a solicitor experienced in family or criminal law can apply urgently on your behalf.
- Is legal aid available for victims of domestic abuse?
- Yes, legal aid is available for eligible domestic abuse victims. This financial support can help cover the costs of legal representation. If you are seeking a non-molestation or occupation order, a solicitor experienced in family or criminal law can apply urgently on your behalf, potentially with legal aid if you meet the eligibility criteria.
- How can I get a non-molestation or occupation order applied for?
- If you are seeking a non-molestation or occupation order, a solicitor experienced in family or criminal law can apply urgently on your behalf. The text advises that victims of domestic abuse should seek specialist legal advice as soon as it is safe to do so to access these protective legal measures.
- What specific legal issues are covered for victims of crime?
- The page covers a range of topics for crime victims, including reporting a crime to the police, applying for a restraining order, domestic abuse safety planning, reporting online harassment, reporting hate crime, and seeking help for modern slavery. It also explains what happens at an inquest and details the rights available to victims under the Victims' Code.
When to Get Legal Advice
Victims of serious crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence or modern slavery should seek specialist legal advice or contact a dedicated support organisation as soon as it is safe to do so. Victim Support, Women's Aid and the Refuge helpline can provide immediate help. If you are seeking a non-molestation or occupation order, a solicitor experienced in family or criminal law can apply urgently on your behalf. Legal aid is available for eligible domestic abuse victims.