Witness intimidation
The evidence
Intimidation is very rare. In 1998 the British Crime Survey (BCS) found that only 8% of all incidents resulted in the intimidation of victims or witnesses. This rose to 15% for incidents where there was potential for intimidation, such as where the victim had some knowledge of the offender.
Intimidation was more likely to follow offences of violence and vandalism. Women were particularly likely to experience intimidation following a violent offence (26%). Many of these incidents involved domestic violence.
The harasser was the original offender in most cases (85%). In others it was the offender's family or friends. Where the harasser was the original offender, 41% of women who experienced intimidation did so from a partner or ex-partner.
It is often thought that intimidation occurs because offenders want to deter victims or witnesses from giving evidence to the police or courts. But, the findings from the BCS suggest that intimidation is far more complex than this. In only 8% of incidents of victim intimidation did the victim feel the offender was seeking to prevent them giving evidence.
Source: Victim & Witness Intimidation: Key Findings from the British Crime Survey, see www.crimereduction.gov.uk/victims13.htm
Protecting Witnesses
There are several ways to protect witnesses:
- Criminal and civil proceedings can be taken against the intimidators who could then face jail
- Specialist hand and security alarms can provide additional security
- In extreme circumstances witnesses can be relocated
If you are worried about intimidation you should talk to the police.
