Your role and the prosecution
Victims and witnesses play a of crime play a critical role in the prosecution process. This web page gives you information about a range of issues including your role in a prosecution, what the CDPP does, and what support services are available to you. It will also help you to understand the legal process, as well as what crimes the CDPP prosecutes.
Information and support for victims
Experiencing a crime can be a traumatic experience. It can affect you in different ways, including emotionally, physically, mentally and financially. If you are a victim of a crime the CDPP is prosecuting, you are entitled to receive information and support throughout the prosecution process.
- Information about how we can help is set out in our Victims of Crime Policy.
How the CDPP supports victims
The CDPP’s Victims of Crime Policy makes it clear that victims are entitled to be treated with courtesy, compassion, cultural sensitivity and respect for their dignity and entitlements. It also says that:
- If you ask to be kept informed about where your case is up to, we will do this as quickly as possible. (Some people prefer not to know, so make sure you ask your prosecutor if you want to be kept up to date.)
- Your views will be taken into account when it comes to prosecution options.
- If your case involves child sexual abuse, and the CDPP decides not to prosecute, or stops the prosecution against a defendant, you may be entitled to a right of review.
- If you are a victim who is giving evidence in a court case, the prosecutor will also provide you with information about being a witness. You may also wish to look at other resources on this website that provide information about what to expect in the courtroom and the prosecution process.
More information
- Contact details of organisations that support victims of crime.
- Updates about the police investigation, such as when a suspect is arrested or charged, and any bail conditions imposed.
- The option to make a Victim Impact Statement to explain how the crime affected you.
- To read your Victim Impact Statement in court, or have it read for you (the court will need to agree to this), if a defendant is found guilty, or if they plead guilty to the charges.
- To be told whether the CDPP will proceed with the prosecution.
- To be told if you need to give evidence in court, and what to expect during that process.
- To take part in a familiarisation visit to the court if you wish.
- To meet the CDPP prosecutor dealing with your matter, and ask questions about the court process.
- To be told of any appeal against the offender’s conviction or sentence.
including:
- online child sexual exploitation
- people trafficking
- terrorism
- forced marriages
- sexual crimes against children overseas
- domestic violence
- crimes that occur on planes and at sea.