Victim Awareness Course (VAC) Information for course attendees
Who is the course for?
The Victim Awareness Course (VAC) is designed for people over 18 who have committed an offence such as theft, criminal damage, low level public disorder or assault where no serious physical injury has occurred. It can be used as part of a Conditional Caution (CC), Deferred Caution (DC) or Community Resolution (CR).
You will have been asked by the police to complete one of the following. Please click the + to find out more about each course:
What is the course about?
The course lasts three hours and is delivered to a maximum of 16 participants. It is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- explore the impact of crime on victims, both direct and indirect
- discuss how you feel about crime
- reflect on the choices you may have made in the lead up to and during the offence
- explore what you might do differently in future
The course is not designed to embarrass or judge you for the offence you committed. The trainer will not ask you to tell anyone in the group about what you have done.
Who delivers the course and where?
The courses are delivered by Victim Support and run locally within those police force areas that have chosen to use this program. We are not part of the police, the courts or any other criminal justice agency. Trainers are supported by a Victim Support volunteer, who will welcome you, conduct registration and support you if you need help during the course.
How do participants book and pay?
We will send you a letter advising how you can book and pay for a course. You will be able to book any course available across the country within your time limit.
You are required to make a payment of £75. You have the option to pay online or cash at a Lloyds bank, this can be in full or in two or three instalments.
Any money that Victim Support does not use to run the course will go back to help support victims of crime.
What happens once participants have completed the course?
Victim Support will advise the police once you have completed the course.
What happens if participants fail to complete the course?
If you fail to complete the course within your critical date you will be referred back to the police for further action.
e-Learning & Virtual courses
As an alternative to a face to face course you may have been asked to join a virtual course or complete a course online instead.
Contact us
If you require any assistance please email in the first instance vac.admin@victimsupport.org.uk If you are unable to email please call 02380 240601.
What is the course about?
The course lasts two hours and is delivered through Zoom to a maximum of 10 participants. It is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- explore the impact of crime on victims, both direct and indirect
- discuss how you feel about crime
- reflect on the choices you may have made in the lead up to and during the offence
- explore what you might do differently in future
The course is not designed to embarrass or judge you for the offence you committed. The trainer will not ask you to tell anyone in the group about what you have done.
Who delivers the course?
The courses are delivered by Victim Support. We are not part of the police, the courts or any other criminal justice agency. Trainers are supported by a Victim Support volunteer, who will assist the trainer during the course and are there to support you should you need it.
How do participants book and pay?
We will send you a letter advising how you can book and pay for a course.
You are required to make a payment of £75. You have the option to pay online or cash at a Lloyds bank, this can be in full or in two or three instalments.
Any money that Victim Support does not use to run the course will go back to help support victims of crime.
How do participants join a virtual course?
We use Zoom to run our virtual courses. You should be able to join using either a PC, laptop, tablet or on most smart phones. A good internet connection is required so we recommend using Wi-Fi. You will be sent instructions on how to download the Zoom App and join the course once you have paid.
What happens once participants have completed the course?
Victim Support will advise the police once you have completed the course.
What happens if participants fail to complete the course?
If you fail to complete the course within your critical date you will be referred back to the police for further action.
Contact us
If you require any assistance please email in the first instance vac.admin@victimsupport.org.uk If you are unable to email please call 02380 240601.
What is the course about?
The course takes approximately an hour and a half to complete and can be done in your own time. It is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- explore the impact of crime on victims, both direct and indirect
- discuss how you feel about crime
- reflect on the choices you may have made in the lead up to and during the offence
- explore what you might do differently in future
How do participants book and pay?
We will send you a letter advising how you can book and pay for a course.
You are required to make a payment of £75. You have the option to pay online or cash at a Lloyds bank, this can be in full or in two or three instalments.
Any money that Victim Support does not use to run the course will go back to help support victims of crime.
How do participants complete the online course?
You should be able to complete the course using either a PC, laptop, tablet or on most smart phones. A good internet connection is required so we recommend using Wi-Fi. You will be sent instructions on how to complete the course once you have paid.
What happens once participants have completed the course?
Victim Support will advise the police once you have completed the course.
What happens if participants fail to complete the course?
If you fail to complete the course within your critical date you will be referred back to the police for further action.
Contact us
If you require any assistance please email in the first instance vac.admin@victimsupport.org.uk If you are unable to email please call 02380 240601.
You can download our terms and conditions for both courses [PDF] (389KB).
Download our privacy policy [PDF] for offenders/alleged offenders for restorative justice (RJ) services.