1974

The first Victim Support scheme is set up in Bristol.

1978

30 similar schemes exist across England and Wales.

1979

The National Association of Victims Support Schemes was created as an ‘umbrella body’ for the local schemes. Funding comes from private trusts and the Home Office's Voluntary Services Unit.

1980    

Victim Support's first paid national member of staff and part-time secretary take up their posts. The National Office is established in Brixton, London and the first national newsletter is published.

1981    

Victim Support has 67 member schemes and that year the police refer 18,000 victims to us. A national Code of practice is created to make sure that our services are consistent and appropriate, and that every scheme has a local management committee. We hold our first national conference. 

1984    

Our 10th anniversary. Our work has increasing influence on government. The All Party Penal Affairs Group publishes A new deal for victims, and the Home Affairs Committee publishes Compensation and support for victims of crime.

1986    

Every county in England and Wales has at least one local Victim Support scheme. Work begins to develop a service in Northern Ireland.

1987    

We start to get core funding from the Home Office and we register as a charitable company limited by guarantee.

1988

The Home Office publishes a new information leaflet to be given by police to all victims reporting a crime. It gives information on compensation, Victim Support and crime prevention. A second leaflet gives information to victims and witnesses going to court.

1989

The European Forum for Victim Services is created, with 22 February designated as European Victims' Day. The first steps to create our Witness Service begin with a piece of work to look at the needs of people attending court.

1990

We publish the findings of our review of the needs of victims and witnesses at court. This leads to the launch of our first victim and witness in court project. The Government publishes the Victim's charter.

1991

The Home Office agrees to fund the Crown Court Witness Service.

1994

We now offer help to one million people a year. The Crown Court Witness Service is launched. The 20th anniversary of the first Victim Support branch in Bristol is marked by the introduction of our new sun and clouds logo and the launch of the first Victim Support Week in February.

1995    

We launch a campaign promoting victims' rights within the criminal justice system.

1996

We now have a Witness Service in every Crown Court in England and Wales.

1998

Our telephone helpline, the Victim Supportline, is launched to give support on the phone and to improve access to our other services.

1999

We mark 25 years of helping people affected by crime and get Home Office funding to set up the Witness Service in all 550 magistrates' courts in England and Wales.

2002

We publish a major new report called Criminal neglect. This is to mark the beginning of a campaign to encourage policy makers across all areas of government and social provision to recognise and provide for the needs of the victims of crime.

2003    

We now have a Witness Service in every criminal court in England and Wales.

2004

Victim Support celebrates its 30th anniversary. The event is marked in November with a special reception at Lancaster House in London in the presence of our President, HRH The Princess Royal.

2005

Chief Executive Dame Helen Reeves DBE retires after 26 years with Victim Support. Gillian Guy appointed as her successor.

2006

The Victim Support 'sun and clouds' logo updated. 'In the aftermath' published, a major new report into the needs of people affected by homicide.

2007    

Members of Victim Support from across England and Wales vote at an extraordinary general meeting to create a single national charity to replace the existing federation. The government also announces further investment in our services for victims leading to the creation of new, enhanced, 'Victim Support Plus' services.

2008

Merger of the local charities that make up Victim Support begins on 1 January 2008.

2008

The National Centre moves to new premises in Central London. We hold our first ever national volunteer awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace.