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Government will work with children to create the first ever child-friendly version of the Victims' Code

• Updated: 5 February 2026

Make a victim personal statement to the Parole Board - who can make one, how to write it, and what happens at a parole hearing

• Who can make a victim personal statement and when

  The Parole Board decides if prisoners who are eligible for parole can be…

• How a victim personal statement is used

  The Parole Board panel makes a decision based on whether a prisoner is a…

• Write your victim personal statement

  Your victim personal statement is your opportunity to explain how a crime…

• Choose how your victim personal statement is presented at the hearing

  You’ll usually have a choice of how your victim personal statement is…

• What happens at a parole hearing

  You’ll be asked to read out your victim personal statement (unless someone…

Improving victims engagement in the parole process

• Updated: 22 July 2019

Draft code of practice presented to Parliament, on authorised persons requesting a victim's third party material.

• Updated: 1 December 2025

Get help if you're a victim or witness who needs to give evidence in court. Find out how to review your statement, protection you can get in court and how to claim expenses.

Apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) Hardship Fund if you have to take time off work because you're the victim of violent crime

What is a Victim Personal Statement?

• Updated: 12 November 2024

An overview of resources to help victims of violent or sexual crime understand the parole process and their entitlements within the Victim Contact Scheme.

• Updated: 19 May 2025

The Victims' Code posters and leaflet have been translated into multiple languages for accessibility.

• Updated: 5 March 2025

From 1 October 2014, the majority of support services for victims will be provided at a local level by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).

• Updated: 20 December 2013