Witnesses

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Witnesses of Crime

In law, a witness to a crime is defined as someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, either oral or written, of what they know or claim to know.

Anyone can be a witness!

Witnesses help to ensure that justice is done. As examples, if you know something about an incident you may be asked to give evidence in court for the prosecution or defence. If you know one of the people involved in a case, you may be asked to provide evidence as a character witness, usually by the defence.

Being a witness to a crime can be a traumatic experience and have serious impacts on you including physical, mental or emotional harm or losses directly or indirectly caused by a criminal offence. For others the experience may be stressful but not traumatic.

Being a witness and its evident impact on you can also have wider repercussions for your family and other loved ones including friends and or colleagues. This can include vicarious / secondary trauma. Secondary trauma means that although the original (primary) trauma happened to someone else, the impact it's having on someone else’s life is traumatic for them too. It doesn't mean it's any less significant than any other kind of trauma, or any easier to deal with.

Being a witness to any crime can be extremely shocking and frightening. It can also be stressful worrying about the legal process, waiting for court dates and being at court on the day/s.

Commons feelings after being a witness to a crime include:

You may feel angry, upset or experience other strong emotions You may feel scared Things can suddenly fall apart for you You may show physical symptoms Have intrusive thoughts Try and avoid reminders of the event You may feel numb or detached Have difficulty sleeping or concentrating You may blame yourself thinking you should have done things differently You may develop long-term problems such as depression or anxiety-related illness You may experience trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Witnesses of crime may experience trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD UK cites that as many as 30% of victims / witnesses of crime suffer PTSD.

Trauma is when we experience very stressful, frightening or distressing events that are difficult to cope with or out of our control. It could be one incident, or an ongoing event that happens over a long period of time. Most of us will experience an event in our lives that could be considered traumatic. Being a witness of a crime is an example of a traumatic incident.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. PTSD can affect a person's ability to work, perform day-to-day activities or relate to their family and friends. PTSD symptoms usually appear soon after trauma. Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event may include avoiding people, places, activities, objects and situations that may trigger distressing memories. People may try to avoid remembering or thinking about the traumatic event. They may resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it. For most people, these symptoms go away on their own within the first few weeks and months after the trauma. For some, the symptoms can last for many years, especially if they go untreated. PTSD symptoms can stay at a fairly constant level of severity.

Help for Witnesses of Crime

Victim Support is the independent charity dedicated to supporting anyone affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

In Scotland

https://victimsupport.scot/

In Ireland

https://www.crimevictimshelpline.ie/

Here is a video with some self-help ideas that may improve your mood or reduce the stress and anxiety created by crime.

There is lots of other help and support available

Also, this site includes a UK help directory with information about lots of organisations that can help with trauma themes including depression and feeling suicidal (Help Directory)

National Services

There are a large number of UK services that may also be able to help you

Here is information about some of them (accurate at November 2023)

Childline Private and confidential service where children and young people (up to 18 years of age) can talk about anything. Website. childline.org.uk Tel. 0800 1111
Samaritans Whatever you are going through, call us anytime 24 hours a day every day. Website. samaritans.org Tel. 116 123
Papyrus UK For children and young people under the age of 35 years who are having suicidal thoughts or for anyone concerned that someone may be having suicidal thoughts. Website. papyrus-org.uk Tel. 0800 0684141
The Crysalys Foundation – Tackling Trauma UK digital platform with info, resources and self-help on understanding and recovery from trauma for children, young people, adults, parents / carers and professionals. Available languages: English, Welsh and Ukrainian Website. tackling-trauma.com
SAMM National – Support After Murder and Manslaughter Support for family members and friends bereaved by murder or manslaughter. Website. samm.org.uk Tel. 0121 4722912 Mobile. 07342 888570
SHOUT Text service for young people who are feeling low, anxious, worried, lonely, overwhelmed, suicidal or just not yourself . Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 to start a conversation. They will text you back once a volunteer is available
Runaway Helpline Runaway Helpline is here if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and come back. You can also contact us if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused. Website. runawayhelpline.org.uk Tel or Text. 116 000
Support Through Court Supporting people who face civil or family court alone so they can represent themselves to the best of their ability. Website. supporthtroughcourt.org Tel. 03000 810 006
Victim Support For victims affected by crime needing info and support 24 hours per day everyday. Website. victimsupport.org.uk Tel. 0808 1689111
We Stand Offering info and support services for non-abusing parents and carers of children who have been sexually abused. Website. westand.org.uk Tel. 0800 9801958
Why Me? Delivering and promoting restorative justice for anyone affected by crime.Restorative justice is an approach to justice that seeks to repair harm by providing an opportunity for those harmed and those who take responsibility for the harm to communicate about and address their needs in the aftermath of a crime.Website. why-me.orgEmail. info@why-me.org
Fearless Online Fearless online where you can report crime or share information without having to leave any personal information. You can give us information about crime without giving your name or any personal details. We will not ask about your gender or age. They will not record any personal details you might mention. The system design is to protect your identity so we cannot physically cannot trace your email or IP address.Website. fearless.org
The Salvation Army Providing specialist support for all adult victims of modern slavery in England and Wales available 24 hours per day everyday .Modern slavery is the exploitation of other people, for personal or commercial gainWebsite.salvationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery Tel. 0800 808 3733
Young Minds For young people, who need help with their mental help 24 hours a day every day. Website. youngminds.org.uk Text YM to 85258
The Mix For anyone under 25 years of age who faces challenges. Website. themix.org.uk Tel. 0808 8084994
Cruse Bereavement Care For bereaved children and young people. Website. hopeagain.org.uk Tel. 0808 8081677
Talk to Frank Providing facts, information and advice on drugs, their effects and the law. Website. talktofrank.com Tel. 0300 1236600
Combat Stress For veterans’ mental health problems helping servicemen and women with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Website. combatstress.org.uk Tel. 0800 1381619
The Compassionate Friend Supporting bereaved parents and their families who have lost a son or daughter. Website. tcf.org.uk Tel. 0345 1232304
CALM For info, support and listening services for men who are at risk of suicide. Website. thecalmzone.net Tel. 0800 585858
Anxiety UK For support, advice and info on anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression conditions. Website. anxietyuk.org.uk Tel. 03444 775774
SANDS Support for anyone affected by the death of a baby. Website. sands.org.uk Tel. 0808 1643332 Email. helpline@sands.org.uk
Family Lives Parenting and family support. Website. familylives.org.uk Tel. 0808 8002222 Email. askus@familylives.org.uk
Kidscape Focused on keeping children safe including dealing with bullying. Website. kidscape.org.uk
Rape Crisis Englandand Wales Help and support after rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse or any other form of sexual violence. Website. rapecrisis.org.uk
Women’s Aid Ending domestic violence against women and children. Website. womensaid.org.uk
Family Rights Group Promotes policies and practices that keep children safe within their family and strengthen the family and community networks of those children who cannot live at home. Website. frg.org.uk Tel. 0808 8010366
The Survivors Trust Supporting victims and survivors of sexual violence. Website. thesurvivorstrust.org Tel. 08088 010818
mind uk Mental health services to support individuals dealing with mental health challenges. Website. mind.org.uk/ Tel. 0300 123 3393