Training for our volunteers
Training is essential for volunteers
Supporting victims and witnesses is important and sensitive work. That’s why we think good training is essential for our volunteers. If you decide to become a Victim Support or Witness Service volunteer, we’ll help you learn about:
- the different types of crimes and ways that people are often affected
- how the criminal justice system works
- how to assess what kinds of help and support people need
- improving your communication skills
- equal opportunities, diversity and confidentiality
- dealing with difficult and inappropriate behaviour
- how to claim compensation after a violent crime
- the special impact of crime on children
- personal safety
This is all covered in the basic training. Once you’ve completed that, there are more specialist training opportunities for volunteers who want to focus on supporting victims of sexual and domestic abuse, hate crime, and for work with families of homicide victims or vulnerable and intimidated witnesses.