Share this page
Victims are the reason we come to work. Our role is to make sure that there are fewer victims in future. The vast range of work that is done with offenders is geared to that aim. Putting an offender on the straight and narrow, and helping them to become better citizens, is a victory for the victim.
However, assumptions are often made that Probation’s work is purely with offenders. Its work with victims of crime is less well-known. The NPS Victim Contact Unit in Essex was set up to provide a service to victims, or their families, of sexual and violent crime. We work with our criminal justice partners and victims’ organisations to ensure that services to them are cohesive and where necessary, protection is provided.
In the case of Domestic Abuse where we are supervising the perpetrators on a resulting court order, Women’s Safety Workers are there specifically for their victims.
The Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) involves a number of local agencies, and meets to plan for the protection of victims of domestic abuse.
The NPS also leads, with the Police and Prisons, on the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements, which plan for the release of serious offenders at the end of their sentence. Much of that work concentrates on keeping previous victims safe. A member of the National Probation Service Victim Contact Unit in Essex will be there to offer an opinion, and to put forward the views of the victim.
The Essex NPS Victim Contact Unit will be in touch with you within a short period after the perpetrator is sentenced, to see if you would like a face-to-face visit (this is your choice).
They will:
If you want to keep in contact with an officer, he or she can:
Past female intimate partners who were either the victim of the offence or also at risk are contacted and offered a service by Womens’ Safety Officers, which includes:
Essex NPS works closely with the Police Victims Specialists to ensure victim safety in these cases.
Please take a few minutes to look at our video trailer.
The Probation Experience: a 30 minute DVD which graphically depicts the range of work with offender Lee Cullen.
To arrange a group showing, please contact your local office.