Victim Support Omdömen 

I originally left a review after being referred to this service by Suffolk and Norfolk Police following an assault. Unfortunately, since then, my experience has only deteriorated, and I feel it is important to update my review.

I spoke to staff members from both victim care and Catch-22 — neither experience offered anything meaningful.

My initial concerns centred on the lack of meaningful support and the dismissive attitude I experienced after waiting weeks to hear from the service. Since then, those concerns have been reinforced by repeated interactions with multiple members of staff.

The most significant issue has been the repeated failure to follow an agreed communication plan. Several weeks ago, I explained that, due to my health and the impact of severe migraines and my other conditions, I could not cope with unexpected telephone calls and should only be contacted at agreed times. I repeated this request by email on more than one occasion, including on a day when I had specifically explained that I was unwell and unable to speak.

Despite this, I received multiple unexpected phone calls anyway. When I raised the issue, the discussion focused on whether my latest email had been received rather than the fact that the agreed communication plan had already been established weeks earlier. Whether that individual email had been seen or not was beside the point—the agreed arrangements should already have been in place and respected.

The attitude I experienced during that conversation was particularly disappointing. The Team Leader came across as dismissive, defensive and patronising rather than empathetic or focused on resolving the problem. At no point did I feel that there was any genuine attempt to understand my circumstances or appreciate the fact that I had already explained I was seriously unwell.

Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. Throughout my involvement with the service, I encountered similar attitudes from several different members of staff. Rather than feeling supported as the victim of a violent crime with complex needs, I repeatedly felt like an inconvenience. Conversations often felt rushed, lacking in empathy and unnecessarily dismissive.

I also submitted a formal complaint regarding the conduct of a member of staff. The response I received was generic and gave me little confidence that my concerns had been meaningfully investigated. My experiences afterwards suggested that nothing had materially changed.

Supporting victims of crime requires more than simply answering the telephone or offering a place on a waiting list. It requires staff who listen, communicate consistently, respect agreed communication arrangements and treat vulnerable people with patience, dignity and compassion. Those are the standards I expected after being referred by the police, and unfortunately they were not the standards I experienced.

The cumulative effect of these repeated failures was that my interactions with this organisation caused me additional distress rather than helping my recovery. After multiple disappointing experiences involving several members of staff, I ultimately decided to end my involvement with the service altogether because I no longer had confidence in its ability to provide appropriate support.

I cannot recommend this service based on my experience. If you are a victim of crime, particularly if you have complex health needs or require reasonable adjustments to how you are contacted, I believe it is important to be aware that my requests were repeatedly overlooked despite being clearly communicated on several occasions. For me, the service did more to increase my stress than to support my recovery, which is the opposite of what a victim support organisation should achieve.

I'm horrified, upset and shocked at this service. I called them twice for help. The young woman on the phone sounded bored and dismissive. She said she'd refer my details which was back in December. I've since contacted them twice with an automated text back from them saying they'll be in touch. There's been absolutely nothing. Why is this happening?

Absolutely useless, just like the police. Asked all the questions, then that's the last you hear from them.. Who are they actually supporting? What help is being given . Years ago I was a victim support officer and gave help , comfort and guidance. It's now actually appalling. I was not given any support when I truly needed it.

I joined as a volunteer with extensive experience in trauma response, working with vulnerable people and safeguarding/child protection. They failed to recognise this and it became apparent that they offer a generic scripted response. That they do not utilise varied skills to provide a more holistic tailored response to victims. Unless they review their approach they will continue to be limited and mediocre at best. I can see from other reviews that they ignore victims not just their volunteers. The comments from victims confirm my perception of their service. Something needs to be done about it.

Reported a serious crime in sept.
Still waiting .I also contacted victim support five weeks ago and been blatantly ignored .
Made a complaint and that's being ignored too.
Your a disgrace.

I contacted the folks bec they are said to be a help for victims I went back to my only way of coping when being ignored by the people that’s meant to care you cause pain suffering your meant to be healing shame on you

I contacted Victim Support expecting real help during a difficult time, but my experience was very disappointing.
Instead of practical support, I was mainly redirected to other organisations. It felt like being passed from one place to another without anyone actually helping.
The staff member I spoke with was also rude and dismissive, which made the experience even worse. When someone reaches out for support, they should be treated with empathy, patience, and respect.
People contact services like this when they are already stressed and vulnerable. They need understanding and meaningful support — not poor attitude and being sent elsewhere.
My experience left me feeling more frustrated and unsupported than before. I hope the service improves and treats people with more compassion.

What a shower. There first response you must contact Police Scot. Duh, Really, I would never have thought of that. When I asked them what was the general thoughts of their clients re Police Scot. this ninny replied he couldn't divulge that information. You would have thought they could liase with the police to discuss what action to take and tell clients. There is no support going. I take it they are not all volunteers? What are they getting paid for?. I have been assualted, robbed, property been entered and there is no one to support you, take action.

Victim Support has turned into a SCAM signposting organisation - my recent experience with them was a single phone call, followed up by a text message with a wall of links to other organisations. There was no allowance made for my disability, despite making this clear - just a "i'll send you them anyway" as if giving a link to something you can't use is somehow helpful. This doesn't qualify as support - which is a shame as the experience is 180 degrees different to what this organisation was 10 years ago - my only other time of need.

Was assigned a Victim Support IDVA, absolutely useless.

Meant to support and advocate for me, instead did the a few phone calls and then joined sides with a social worker leaving me without advocacy whilst the social worker escalated repeatedly and repeatedly questioned my disclosures if DA to police in official reports.

Would never trust Victim Support or their IDVA Services again.

If you're a domestic abuse survivor don't use their IDVA service, find your own, refer yourself to other support services if necessary.

I went through absolute hell because they referred me to social services and then let the social railroad me without stepping in at all.

I tried to speak to them several time, in particular, Gareth. They were rude. No help what so ever. I absolutely don't see the point of them at all. I thought they were AI robots, they honestly sound like them.
Absolutely useless. I was really in need tonight and they've thrown me back to feeling useless again.

You are left hanging on the phone for ages. Nobody answers. What a dreadful ‘service’.

Very rude hanged the phone down

I'm sorry for most of you victims that have reached out for support from victims support and got nothing, I was one of those people, this place will have you feeling worse, also never share your private information with them as they will turn against you with other departments they are friends with, more concerned about their reputation not the people. Hope this can help others, remember God is good he sees everything. Bless all you victims with love, peace and kindness. 🙏

Unprofessional. I don't recommend as always for the last 13 years!

Filled in online form as advised by police nearly 3 wks ago never heard anything back! I even rang them over 1 wk ago said yes have form someone will contact u in a couple of days still never heard back!

Got burgled last night and the scum stole 3 cars whilst we were in bed.
They tried to steal another but they couldn't get into it.
We've had a black BMW driving past the house for the last day, stopping with blokes inside staring into the house for 5 minutes in broad daylight.

Haven't slept for 2 nights as I'm waiting for them to return as they took a bunch of keys, which includes doorkey. We've changed the locks but they don't know that.
Met police website states that there's a high likelihood that they will return.

Tried ringing Victim Support at 1am for some kind of reassurance. Waited and waited, whilst waiting via online chat and they never bothered answering either.

Waste of space and just a ticking box for the police.

They offer NOTHING for traumatisation

They are not trained .There is nothing they can do .They offer no support and the untrained volunteers abuse victims.
Do not waste your time talking or visiting this service .

SHE PAID ATTENTION OT ME FOR AWHILE
NO SOLUTIONS AS I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE PHONE CALL
USUALLY HEY ARE GREAT.