Victims of Crime
Many of the cases we handle involve both family and criminal law. Allegations of domestic abuse, rape, coercive and controlling behaviour and child abuse frequently arise alongside Family Court proceedings. We provide a joined-up strategy to protect our clients' interests across both jurisdictions.
Victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence often face the criminal justice system without independent legal representation. While those accused of offences are entitled to criminal defence lawyers, victims are not generally entitled to publicly funded legal representation. We help fill that gap by advising and supporting victims throughout police investigations and criminal proceedings, including reporting offences, preparing MG11 witness statements, gathering evidence, liaising with the police and Crown Prosecution Service, advising on victims' rights, and ensuring criminal proceedings are coordinated with any Family Court case.
Have you been wrongfully accused?
We represent victims who have been wrongly arrested or accused of criminal offences. Too often, survivors of abuse are treated as perpetrators because the dynamics of coercive control, self-defence or retaliatory allegations have not been properly understood. We work to ensure the full context is placed before the police, prosecutors and the courts.
This work is led by Ms Manveet Chhina, who brings more than a decade of specialist criminal law experience. Her expertise, combined with our specialist family law practice representing survivors of abuse, enables us to provide a unique, joined-up service for victims navigating both the criminal and family justice systems.
Hampshire rape case: We successfully represented Jazmine
Our work includes representing victims in high-profile cases. We represented Jazmine, a victim in the widely reported Hampshire rape case involving three teenage boys, which attracted national attention following the referral of the offenders' sentences to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme by the Attorney General. Our role was to provide independent legal advice and representation, ensuring that her rights and interests were protected throughout the criminal justice process.
We advised and represented Jazmine throughout the appeal process, including assisting in securing appropriate special measures and ensuring that she had the opportunity to place a full Victim Personal Statement before the Court of Appeal.
Following the conclusion of the case, Jazmine publicly thanked Proudmans for the pro bono legal support and assistance we provided throughout the proceedings.