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Support for victims in cases involving mental illness

If the accused has a mental health impairment, special court procedures apply. Victims can access specialist services through Victims Services.
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If you are a victim (including a family victim) of a violent crime involving mental illness or impairment, Victims Services has a specialist team that can provide you with support and information.

The Specialist Victims Support Service works very closely with the ODPP’s Witness Assistance Service (WAS) when an offender is dealt with under forensic mental health law rather than criminal law (see Crimes involving mental illness or impairment).

Its range of services includes maintaining a victims register.