About Us.

Everyone deals with the impact of crime differently and has their own way of coping. This varies enormously depending on your personality, the support you have around you and your personal circumstances. You can contact us by phone, email or online.

Our experienced staff are trained to help you understand what has happened. We also have trained volunteers who can offer support. Often just talking to someone outside of friends or family can help you make sense of what has happened and find a way to cope and recover from what you have experienced. We can provide telephone or face-to-face support and help you to access support from our partner organisations and other services.

The impact of crime can be practical as well as emotional. Our trained staff will help you explore practical issues from understanding the criminal justice process through to advising on options to repair damage or secure property. We can also help victims navigate the housing and benefit systems.

Many people tell us they can find the court process intimidating or confusing. We have trained staff who can assist you on a 1-1 basis through the court process from beginning to end. We also work closely with the Court Liaison Service and the courts to ensure we give you up to date information.

Restorative Justice is a voluntary process that allows victims and offenders to communicate and move forwards positively to repair the harm caused. Restorative Justice is an entirely voluntary process and is facilitated by our trained staff. Research has found that the majority of victims who take part in a Restorative Justice intervention are satisfied with the outcome and have increased levels of confidence in the Criminal Justice System.

VFN can offer Restorative Justice to both individuals and businesses affected by crime.

Restorative Justice can take a number of forms including:

Direct Involvement

• Restorative Conference –  a supervised face to face meeting so all parties can express their feelings around the offence
• Shuttle Mediation –  Mediation via a third party to help you communicate your thoughts and feelings without meeting the offender face-to-face

Indirect Involvement

• Letter of apology – A letter written by the offender apologising to you for their behaviour
• Reparation –  a specific piece of work that benefits you
• Indirect Mediation –  expressing your feelings via video/audio

Click here to find out more about Restorative Justice