People at heart: A guide to communicating with people affected by crime

Principle 3: Empowering

People are experts in their own lives.

Giving options and guidance on the possible implications or outcomes of those options allows people to make their own informed choices. Empowering people in this way helps them to navigate any processes they may need to go through.

How to do it

Set out all the options clearly, without bias.

• You should still report to the police, even if you were doing something illegal at the time of the assault, like drug use, selling or exchanging sex, immigration status or something else.
• You might be worried about reporting if you were doing something illegal at the time of the assault. If you have concerns about approaching the police because of drug use, selling or exchanging sex, immigration status or something else, you can talk confidentially about this with a support worker on our helpline.

Use direct, active language that makes it clear who is doing what.

• Do I have to attend the Hearing? Yes, Hearings must be attended by all Relevant Persons. In some circumstances, it may be decided that the Relevant Person and/or the child do not have to attend unless desired.
• Do I have to attend the hearing? Yes, you as a Relevant Person and your child must attend the hearing. In some circumstances, the panel members can decide that you and/or your child do not have to attend unless you want to.

Tell the person what they need to do where it is a legal requirement.

Use simple, neutral words. Avoid language or formatting that could come across as threatening, wherever possible – like writing in all capitals or red font. Use bold if you want to highlight important information.

• Eligibility The crime will need to have occurred in the regions we cover. You have to report the crime to the police.
• Eligibility The crime must have happened in England, Wales or Scotland. It must be reported to the police.

Always let the person know how to get extra support in a clear, helpful and friendly way. Where you can, include details of how they can get external support as well.

• A referral to providers of victim support services may be made at any stage or, if you prefer, you may contact providers of victim support services directly, without referral.

Victim Support Scotland provides free and confidential emotional and practical assistance and information to all victims and witnesses of crime. They are an independent charity and not part of Police Scotland or Scottish Courts.

• How to get support Victim Support Scotland help anyone affected by crime, no matter who they are or what’s happened. Their service is free and confidential, and they won’t judge you. They will listen to you and offer practical and emotional support

To get support or more information from Victim Support Scotland, you can:

• • agree for the police to make a referral on your behalf
• • call them on 0800 160 1985, or
• • fill in the form at www.victimsupport.scot/self-referral

Victim support is an independent charity who are not part of the police or courts.