Victim services
How to read the stories

Victim services

If someone hurts you by stealing your property, hitting you or having sex with you against your wishes, it is a crime. It hurts you and it is against the law. It is the job of the police to try and protect you.

If the police think you need help talking to them they can call an intermediary to listen and help. You can hear about special measures that will make you feel safer. Special measures are:

using an intermediary to help the witness understand questions and to help the court understand the witness’s answers
live television link between the courtroom and another room where the witness gives evidence
people in the court taking off their wigs and gowns
screens used around the witness box so that the witness does not see the defendant
the video recording of the witness’s statement to the police – this is shown to the court.

Aids to communication can also be used to support witnesses in police interviews and in court. Aids include pencil and paper, pictures, symbol systems and signing.

Sometimes, members of the public are asked to leave the courtroom when the witness gives evidence. This measure can only be used in cases of sexual offences or when someone has tried, or might try, to frighten the witness.

The police can also call on Victim Support to visit you to listen to your worries and fears. Talking about what happened can be frightening and upsetting. Will it just make you remember all the bad things or will it offer you a chance to move on? Some people feel shy, or cry or cannot sleep, have nightmares and run to the toilet all the time. Others feel angry and violent.

How to read the stories

There is no right or wrong way to read the stories.

Some people are not used to reading stories. Start at the beginning and read the story in each picture. Encourage the reader to move through the pages at their own pace.
Encourage the person to tell the story in their own words. You will discover what they think is happening, what they already know, and how they feel. If you are using the pictures to help explain a procedure to someone, you may need to describe or clarify the actions being shown in each picture to help them understand. Try not to challenge the reader(s) or suggest their ideas are wrong.
Some pictures may be more difficult to understand. It can help to prompt the people you are supporting, for example:
•   Who do you think that is?
•   What is happening?
•   How is he or she feeling?
•   Do you feel like that? Has it happened to you/ your friend/ your family?
Allow people enough time to follow the pictures at their own pace. Allow time for discussion of each picture.
Some people may benefit from reading the larger story from which the extract has been taken. This will allow them to explore their feelings and experiences in more depth. To buy the complete book, follow the link to the bookshop that appears at the end of the story.