Reporting a crime that began with an online date, whether it is stalking, a sexual offence, threats, intimate image abuse or a romance fraud, can feel like the start of an unknown process. In England and Wales the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, known as the Victims’ Code, sets minimum standards for the services victims should receive. This guide summarises the Code as published by the Ministry of Justice on GOV.UK (updated 29 January 2025). It applies to England and Wales only and is general information, not legal advice.
Who counts as a victim under the Code
The Code defines a victim as a person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss, directly caused by a criminal offence. That definition is broad enough to include someone who has lost money to a romance scammer as well as someone who has been assaulted or harassed. The Code says service providers must have the victim’s best interests as their primary consideration and take account of age, maturity, views, needs and concerns.
The Code says which rights apply depends on whether the crime is reported to the police, whether the case goes to court, and whether the defendant is convicted, as well as personal needs and circumstances. Rights 1, 4 and 12 apply to all victims; the rest apply where a crime has been reported to the police. It also sets out how victims should be treated: with respect, dignity, sensitivity, compassion and courtesy, with informed choices respected and privacy protected.
The twelve rights in brief
- 1. To understand and be understood. Information in a form that is easy to understand, with interpretation or translation where necessary.
- 2. To have the crime recorded without unjustified delay. Details recorded as soon as possible after the incident, with additional support if a witness statement or interview is required.
- 3. Information when reporting. Written confirmation of the report, information about the criminal justice process, and information about victim services, which may include restorative justice.
- 4. Referral to support services. The right to be referred to victim support services, to contact them directly, and to have needs assessed so support is tailored; and where eligible, referral to specialist services and information about court support such as special measures.
- 5. Information about compensation. Where eligible, being told how to claim compensation for loss, damage or injury caused by crime.
- 6. Information about the investigation and prosecution. Updates on the case, being told when important decisions are taken, and at certain stages the right to ask for decisions to be looked at again.
- 7. A Victim Personal Statement. A statement telling the court how the crime has affected you. GOV.UK’s guidance says it can describe the effect physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially or in any other way, and that if a defendant is found guilty the court takes it into account, along with all the other evidence, when deciding on a sentence.
- 8. Trial information. If the case goes to court, being told the time, date and place of hearings and their outcome, and being offered help before giving evidence.
- 9. The outcome and appeals. Being told the outcome, an explanation of the sentence if there is a conviction, and information about any appeal.
- 10. Expenses and property. Claiming certain expenses for attending court, and getting property back as soon as possible if it was taken as evidence.
- 11. Information about the offender. Where eligible, automatic referral to the Victim Contact Scheme after a conviction.
- 12. To complain. A complaint to the relevant service provider if rights are not met and, if still unhappy, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Enhanced Rights
The Code provides Enhanced Rights to some groups of victims. It says a person is eligible if they are a victim of the most serious crime, which includes domestic abuse, hate crime, terrorism, sexual offences, human trafficking, modern slavery, attempted murder, kidnap, false imprisonment, arson with intent to endanger life and wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent. It also covers vulnerable or intimidated victims and persistently targeted victims, meaning those targeted repeatedly over a period of time, particularly if deliberately targeted. In assessing whether a victim is intimidated, the Code says victims of a sexual offence or human trafficking will be considered intimidated. A service provider may also decide to provide certain Enhanced Rights to a person who falls outside these categories, depending on their circumstances or the impact of the crime.
Applying this after an online-dating incident
- Sexual offences. The Code lists sexual offences among the most serious crimes for Enhanced Rights. For health services after an assault, the guide to NHS help after a date goes wrong explains what is available.
- Repeated contact. Where repeated conduct amounts to a crime such as stalking, a person may fall within the Code’s description of a persistently targeted victim, and the stalking guide covers the offences involved.
- Intimate images. The intimate images guide covers removal and the law.
- Romance fraud. Because “economic loss” is within the definition of harm, fraud victims can be victims under the Code, and the guide to recovering after a romance scam covers reporting and support.
Before reporting, it can help to keep records; the guide to documenting and reporting suspicious behaviour explains what to save.
If the Code is not followed
The Code says that a person who believes they have not received their rights can complain to the relevant service provider, and that if they remain unhappy they can contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. This guide cannot say whether any individual right applies to a given case.
The bottom line
In England and Wales, anyone who has suffered harm from a crime, including one that began on a dating app, has minimum service standards under the Victims’ Code. Every victim has the rights to be understood, to be referred to support and to complain, and those who report to the police gain further rights such as written confirmation, updates and a Victim Personal Statement. Victims of sexual offences, domestic abuse and persistent targeting may be eligible for Enhanced Rights.