More needs to be done to support victims of crime

More needs to be done for victims of crime are the findings of a report published today by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr Rhodes, commissioned a report in 2013 to undertake a review of the service provision for victims of crime.  The review was undertaken by Sandra Wiggin from Victim Support and involved working with a range of partners from across the county delivering services as well as speaking to victims about their experiences.

Richard Rhodes said:  “I welcome  the publication of today’s report called ‘Care, Consideration and a Voice for Victims’.  More has to be done to support victims and the report’s 56 recommendations identify a number of key ways that victims can be supported.

“No crime ever has just one victim.  Often crime has a wider impact on family, friends and in some cases on our wider community.  It is important that victims have confidence in the system and that they are given the required support at the right time as people have different needs at different times.

“I launched my Office of Victim Services in March 2013, the finalising of this report gives the focus of my work to support victims for the next two years.

“The provisional findings of the report were discussed with partner organisations at a conference, which was well attended. Since then, a significant amount of work has been put in place to start to improve the support provided to victims and to change how services work to take greater account of victims’ needs.

“Work has already begun on a Victims’ Charitable Trust that will act as a champion for victims.  This will be supported by central funding for victims services being transferred to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner from October 2014 and we are looking at what opportunities there will be to improve services to victims. The process of appointing a Victims’ Advocate to lead on all of this work is well progressed.

“I am also working closely with partner organisations to look at developing more consistent and sustainable support services for victims of sexual violence so that they have access to the right support when they need it. 

“I would like to thank Sandra for her detailed and comprehensive report, and all the agencies and victims for taking part in the review.  It is only by all agencies working together will we make a real difference to victims in the county.”

A victim of sexual violence said: “It was like a nightmare come true, I felt like my whole world had fallen apart. I froze and didn’t know what to do. If it hadn’t been for  the help and guidance from Victim Support and other agencies who supported me and my family during  the ordeal and afterwards, I don’t think we would have coped.” http://www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/