FAQ

What is the impact of crime?

Crime impacts on individuals, families and communities.

The consequences of crime will depend on the nature of the crime, the profile of the victim and their own life experiences, and the effects may change over time. Crime has devastating affects on some people; even experience of a "minor" crime can lead individuals to feel less safe than they did before.

Crime is a socio-economic issue and within the context of local Community Planning it is one of the highest quality of life indicators.

Crime is more likely to happen to people who are already socially disadvantaged and therefore, "least equipped to negotiate it".[1]

Crime is not just an issue for Criminal Justice agencies or victim support services; it compounds social inequality and social exclusion, and therefore is a matter for all.

Through our work with supporting people affected by crime, and those who fear it, we are able to say that crime harms, which the table below illustrates:

[1] Dixon et al "Crime Share: The unequal impact of Crime", April 2006.

What do victims and witnesses need?

Research consistently finds common themes in the needs expressed by people affected by crime. [2] These can be summarised as:

dignified, fair and respectful treatment
timely and appropriate information
practical help (including protection from revictimisation and compensation)
counselling (in few cases, and support in dealing with the emotional impact and in dealing with the Criminal Justice System)