At risk, yet dismissed

Being a victim of crime is a horrible experience for anyone to cope with. When you have a mental health problem the impact on your life can be even worse.

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are currently taking over responsibility for commissioning the majority of local support services for victims of crime. We need them to prioritise mental health so that local victims' services work for people with mental health problems.

You can help make sure the needs of victims with mental health problems are met in your area. Email your PCC and ask them to prioritise mental health as they commission your local support services for victims of crime.

Read the 'At risk, yet dismissed' report

Last year, we published the report At risk, yet dismissed with Victim Support. It reveals that people with mental health problems are more likely to be victims of crime, feel the impact of being a victim of crime more acutely and are less likely to get the support they need.

The most startling findings show that people with mental health problems are:

• three times more likely to be a victim of crime than the general population
• five times more likely to be a victim of assault (rising to 10 times more likely for women)
• more likely to be a repeat victim and experience different types of crime
• far less likely to be satisfied with the service and support they receive.

Read the summary

Read the report

For Police and Police and Crime Commissioners

Our new guide showcases great examples of the police supporting victims of crime with mental health problems. But too many are still not believed or properly supported.

Find out what you can do.

Lawyers and judges

People with mental health problems have an equal right to justice. With appropriate support you can help people with mental health problems give their best evidence.

Find out what you can do.

Healthcare staff

You can make a real difference helping someone with a mental health problem who has been a victim of crime by treating them with empathy and compassion.

Find out what you can do.

MPs and councillors

We need a national debate and a central strategy to address the needs of people with mental health problems who are the victims of crime.

Find out what you can do.

Help for victims

If you’re living with a mental health problem and have been a victim of crime, or know someone who has been and want to report it, we want to help.

Find out what you can do.

Campaign story

Since 2007, when we launched our Another assault report, we’ve been calling for better support for people with mental health problems who are the victims of crime.

Find out more about our campaign work.