Victim Liaison

Northumbria Probation Trust has a dedicated unit of probation staff, called Victim Liaison Officers (VLOs). They are specially trained and experienced in supporting victims who have experienced trauma and pain.

We provide a service to the victims of a serious sexual or violent offence where the offender receives a prison sentence of 12 months or more or is ordered to be detained in hospital.

VLOs provide information to victims about the offender’s sentence and updates about the general progress towards release. They will let a victim know of the month when an offender is due to be released from prison and work with them to ensure they are protected.

The service is offered to victims or family members where the victim has died or parents / carers where the victim is a child. It can continue for a number of years, covering the offender’s time in prison (or hospital) and then their time on licence, if the victim wants this. VLOs will try to offer an individual service and agree with the victim about how and when they will be in touch.

We make sure that victim’s views and concerns are considered as the offender moves towards release. The VLO may do a report to the parole board or get the offender’s probation officer to pass on victims’ concerns and whether there should be licence conditions in place to protect the victim. In some cases, victims can also make their own personal statement about the impact of the crime on themselves and their families, which will be considered by the parole board or the prison.

We will also refer victims to other agencies where they need additional practical and emotional help. Some victims may opt out of the service after a time, as their life changes, but they can choose to receive contact again, for example if they are worried about an offender’s release.