Swindon Youth Justice Service

Support for victims of youth crime

If you have been affected by a crime committed by a child, Swindon Youth Justice Service (YJS) is here to support you. This page explains who we are, how we work with victims, and what support is available to you.

Swindon YJS aims to empower you to feel heard within the youth justice system. We promote safety, offer restorative justice opportunities to help address the harm caused, and make sure you know about local support services.

What we do for victims

If you have been a victim of crime involving a child working with Swindon YJS, our dedicated victim and restorative justice workers can offer:

  • Single point of contact
    • You will have a dedicated worker who will be your main contact from the point of sentence or decision-making until the end of the child’s intervention
  • Victim voice
    • We can support and advocate for you during sentence planning and risk management meetings
  • Support
    • We can signpost you to other services if you need further or ongoing support
  • Updates
    • We can provide information about diversion or court outcomes, and keep you informed about the child’s progress while they are under supervision
  • Safety planning
    • We will contact all victims to discuss any safeguarding needs and help prevent further harm
  • Share impact
    • We make sure the short- and long-term impact of the offence is included in our assessment, planning and intervention with the child
  • Facilitate restorative justice
    • We offer a range of restorative justice options (both direct and indirect), based on your individual needs and wishes

Information and support for victims of crime

The Victims’ Code explains the rights that all victims of crime can expect to receive.

  • Whoever you are and whatever the crime, you have the right to be informed about the criminal justice process and the support available
  • Criminal justice agencies (including the police, courts and Swindon Youth Justice Service) are responsible for helping you understand your rights and ensuring you are supported throughout the process
  • You can read the Victims’ Code leaflet for under 18s (PDF)
  • You can also watch this short animated video about the Victims’ Code

If you choose not to report the crime, you can still receive help and information about your rights through local support services.

Taking part is up to you

Your involvement with Swindon YJS is voluntary. All communication with the service is confidential and we will not share any information without your consent.

Our aim is to make sure you feel heard as a victim of crime, and to support the process of repairing the harm caused.

You can stop your involvement with Swindon YJS at any time. We will always respect your decision.

Further information

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to know more about restorative justice, contact us:

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