The Victim Services Conference 2025: Sensitively Supporting Victims of Crime

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Overview

After a decade of campaigning to implement a Victims Bill, the Victims and Prisoners Bill was finally granted Royal Assent and passed into law on the 24th May 2024. The bill will amplify victims’ voices and aims to improve the support offered to victims of crime. To successfully implement this bill, multi-agency partnerships must be formed within the criminal justice system so that practitioners can use the passing of the Victims and Prisoners Bill to effectively support victims and witnesses of crime.

Now is an opportune moment to build on this momentum and improve victims’ support services and their experiences of the criminal justice system.

  • Between 2022 and 2023, 762,992 people visited Victim Support’s website for information and support
  • A study by North Yorkshire Victims Voice found that 73% of victims who reported a crime never accessed victim support services.
  • Around 600 victims responded to a survey by the Victims’ Commissioner, which found just 43% would be likely to report to authorities in the future, with over a third (34%) saying they wouldn’t report a crime again.

Join us at The Victims’ Services Conference 2025 to hear the latest guidance and best practice around supporting victims in the criminal justice system.

  • High-level keynotes will provide insights into the latest national updates and strategic guidance on working in partnership to amplify the voices of victims in decision-making.
  • Best practice case studies include insights into restorative justice processes and supporting victims who may be suffering from mental health problems.
  • A breakout networking session offers the opportunity to share your experiences whilst networking with other senior colleagues from a variety of sectors.

Agenda

  • Online Registration

  • Chair’s Opening Remarks

    Professor Joanna Shapland, Professor of Criminal Justice, University of Sheffield (CONFIRMED)

  • Keynote: Ministry of Justice Update: Latest Guidance on Improving Victims’ Services

    • The Victims and Prisoners Bill 2024: sharing the latest government plans to support victims of criminal conduct
    • Outlining how to access key funding streams for local victims’ services and compensation schemes
    • Best practice for sensitively implementing the Victims Strategy and Code of Practice
    • Key tips on ensuring open and transparent communication between criminal justice agencies on a national and local level.

    Hannah Meyer, Head of Victims Policy, Ministry of Justice (invited)

  • Keynote: The Multi-Agency Approach: Working with Stakeholders to Amplify the Voice of Victims

    • Updates on the Commissioner’s four key objectives: progress to date and next steps for improvement
    • Strategies to effectively monitor and report on criminal justice agencies compliance with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime
    • Working in partnership with fellow victim’s services to promote best practice and excellence
    • Using the Victim Communication and Liaison Scheme to treat all victims and witnesses with respect and understanding.

    Baroness Newlove of Warrington, The Victims’ Commissioner (invited)

  • Key Supporter Session

  • Questions and Answers

  • Comfort Break

  • Lived Experience: Using Lived Experience to Drive Improvements in Supporting Survivors of Crime

    • Baby Reindeer Effect: How Baby Reindeer caused an increase in male survivors starting their healing journey
    • Key insights into incorporating lived experience into policies and initiatives in support of survivors of crime
    • Coproducing campaigns to help stakeholders understand and address the challenges that survivors of crime face
    • Guidance on providing evidence-based therapeutic support to survivors who may need mental health and wellbeing support.

    Duncan Craig OBE, Chief Executive, We are Survivors and Chief Executive Officer Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Criminology, University of Manchester (CONFIRMED)

  • Case Study: Encouraging Victims to Speak Out and Report Crimes

    • Project Firefly: creating safe spaces for women and girls to report inappropriate behaviour
    • Upskilling staff through specialist training on spotting suspicious behaviour and helping women in need of support
    • Encouraging victims to come forward through social media campaigns aimed at challenging perpetrators of male violence and abuse
    • Strategies to identify and safeguard high-risk victims of domestic abuse.

     

  • Case Study: Providing Wrap-Around Support to Victims Suffering with Mental Health Problems

    • Key tips on how victims living with mental health problems can support themselves on a day-to-day basis
    • Signposting victims to the correct services and support networks for them
    • Best practice for embedding a trauma-informed approach into victims’ support services
    • Designating victims with a specialist caseworker who can provide them with constant support.

    Kate Kempen, Chief Executive, Victim Support (CONFIRMED)

    victim-support-logo - Add10

  • Questions and Answers

  • Lunch Break

  • Keynote: Transforming the Approach to Victim’s Services at the Crown Prosecution Service

    • Tips on improving the quality of communication for all victims through working in partnership with criminal justice partners to develop an improved model
    • Enhancing the services provided to those victims with the greatest needs
    • Implementing strategies to innovate new ways to strengthen the CPS’s engagement with victims
    • Guidance on building an organisational and leadership culture that prioritises engagement with victims

    Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, Crown Prosecution Service (invited)

  • Case Study: The Victims Champion: Putting Victims at The Heart of Policing Decisions

    • Informing planning, policies, and commissioning of services through the lived experiences of victims
    • Inspiring confidence in victims by ensuring that victims’ voices are heard in policing decisions
    • The multi-agency approach: liaising with the Victims Commissioner and other national agencies to provide support for victims and witnesses of crime
    • Prioritising regular views and evaluation of strategies to assess how effectively the criminal justice service meets the needs of victims

    Michael Banks, Victim of Crime Champion, Durham Police and Crime Commissioners Office (CONFIRMED)

    Home | Durham Police & Crime Commissioner

  • Key Supporter Session

  • Questions and Answers

  • Breakout Networking: Providing Consistent Support Services for Victims of Crime

    This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in providing consistent support services for victims of crime. Hear more about shared challenges and learn from solutions being trialled and implemented by colleagues across the criminal justice system.

  • Comfort Break

  • Case Study: Taking a Restorative Justice Approach to Help Victims Move Forward

    • Outlining when a restorative justice approach can be appropriate for victims looking for closure
    • Providing victims a voice by facilitating communication with their offender to explain the real impact of their crime
    • Tools and resources to ensure staff receive training that makes sure the process is safe for everybody involved
    • Creating safe spaces so the victim can feel comfortable engaging in open, and honest communication with the offender

    Jim Simon, Chief Executive, Restorative Justice Council (CONFIRMED)

    About the RJC | Restorative Justice Council

  • Case Study: Strategies for Improving Support for Victims and Witnesses Involved in Giving Evidence

    • Creating accessible pathways to ensure victims can easily report offences
    • Embedding culturally sensitive support systems that can meaningfully engage with victims from various ethnic and religious backgrounds
    • Ensuring that special measures are in place to support victims who are vulnerable or afraid of the offender
    • Providing victims with a specialist intervention worker who can prepare them for going to court
    • Advice on signposting victims to organisations that can support those wanting to start a restorative justice process.

    Helen Wake, Head of Victim Services, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley (invited)

  • Questions and Answers

  • Chair’s Closing Remarks

    Professor Joanna Shapland, Professor of Criminal Justice, University of Sheffield (CONFIRMED)

     

  • Conference Close

    *programme subject to change without notice

Speakers

Male Silhouette image
Jim Simon

Chief Executive

Restorative Justice Council

Male Silhouette image
Duncan Craig OBE

Chief Executive

We are Survivors

Male Silhouette image
Micheal Banks

Victims Champion

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner

Female Silhouette image
Joanna Shapland

Professor of Criminal Justice

University of Sheffield

Testimonials

Excellent event I took a lot away and made lots of contacts.

Surrey Police logo

Head of Victim and Witness Care Unit Surrey Police

A very insightful full day conference, with very thought-provoking inputs throughout the day.

Dyfed-Powys_Police_Crime_Commissioner_logo

Engagement AdvisorDyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner's Office

This was a very relevant and interesting conference, thank you for organising.

Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley logo

Victims Delivery OfficerOffice of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley

The conference was very useful and thought provoking.

Enfield Youth Justice Service logo

Victim and Restorative Justice workerEnfield Youth Justice Service

Why You Should Attend

  • Hear the latest policies and strategies for supporting victims in the criminal justice system
  • Receive best practice examples of supporting victims to report crimes
  • Engage with selected case studies addressing key challenges including supporting victims giving evidence in court
  • Network with speakers and senior colleagues from across the criminal justice system
  • Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota.

Who Should Attend

The conference is specifically for all those responsible for, or involved in, supporting victims and witnesses of crime including:

Job Title Examples Organisation Type Examples
Heads of Service Police
Service Managers District, County, Borough, City Councils
Safeguarding Specialists Probation Services
Heads of Victims and Witness Services Crime Agencies
Head of Policy & Standards Public Service Charities
Hate Crime Co-Ordinators Crime Agencies
Heads of School Central Government Departments

Pricing Options

PRIVATE SECTOR
£499.00

Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.

BOOK NOW
PUBLIC SECTOR
£360.00

Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.

BOOK NOW
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
£330.00

Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.

BOOK NOW

Sponsorship

Raise your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business

If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact Chris Mott  today at sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form here and we will contact you.

Benefits of partnering with us include:

  • Brand awareness: Be seen by a highly targeted and engaged audience before, during, and after the conference.
  • Lead generation: Meet the decision-makers and influencers responsible for making purchasing decisions on cyber security and data protection.
  • Thought leadership: Position your organisation and experts as thought leaders and the ‘go to’ experts.
  • Networking: Make valuable connections with potential new customers and partners across government and the wider public sector
  • Grow your business: Reach decision makers in a single event on just one day and in one location (with no travel/accommodation required), saving you time and money.
  • Gain valuable insights: Hear the latest from key stakeholders in government, and across the public and voluntary sectors.

IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.

For more information and discuss your specific objectives, please contact Chris Mott at sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form here