Victim Support

Victim Support is a charity in England and Wales that aims to help victims and witnesses of crime.

History

Victim Support was set up in 1972 in Bristol and became a charity in 1974. It was started because there was little or no help on offer for victims of crime. The charity's founders were a group of people, who included members of the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (now NACRO) and others from the police and probation service. The first Victim Support group was organised in Bristol in 1974 and other groups followed around the UK. In 1979 these groups came together under an 'umbrella body’ – the National Association of Victims Support Schemes. In 2008 all local Victim Support groups merged to create one national federation in England and Wales. The charity ran a Witness Service from 1989 until April 2015. The service supports people who testify in criminal trials in England and Wales, notably those in Operation Yewtree.[1] The service continues to be funded by the Ministry of Justice. Since 1985 the charity has run the Homicide Service, supporting people bereaved by murder or manslaughter. The Ministry of Justice funded that work from 2010, awarding the contract to run the service to Victim Support from 2010 to at least 2017.[2] The charity is a founding member of Victim Support Europe which was established in 1990.[3]

Activities

Support for victims of crime: Trained volunteers and employees offer free, confidential, practical and emotional support to victims and witnesses of crime. The charity offers support to around 1 million victims of crime per year. People may seek emotional or practical help, for example, making their home secure after a burglary, applying for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, getting re-housed, or asking for counselling through a GP.

Victim Supportline a free telephone helpline for anyone affected by crime in England and Wales - 08 08 16 89 111.

Specialist services for victims of crime include:-

- the national Homicide Service, helping families in England and Wales who've been bereaved by murder or manslaughter

- local services helping victims of any crime, including domestic or sexual violence, anti-social behaviour, or hate crime, amongst others

- local services for young victims of crime,[4] including specialist support for children who have to testify in court[5] and for victims of grooming

- using restorative justice to help victims

Research: A small team look into the issues facing victims of crime and make recommendations, based on evidence, on how to tackle those problems to government,[6] police, criminal justice and other organisations.

Fundraising: The charity is funded by public donations along with funding awards made by grant-making bodies and services commissioned by Police and Crime Commissioners.

Volunteering: Volunteers are trained to work directly with victims and witnesses of crime or to be a fundraiser.,[7][8]

Research reports

"VS Insight Report: An Easy Target? Risk factors affecting victimisation rates for violent crime and theft", April 2016

"Waiting for Justice: How victims of crime are waiting longer than ever for criminal trials", June 2015

"Suffering in silence: children and unreported crime", December 2014,[9]

"At risk, yet dismissed: the criminal victimisation of people with mental health problems" Report, October 2014 Summary

"Left in the dark – why victims of crime need to be kept informed", July 2011.

"Criminal neglect: no justice beyond criminal justice", 2002

Rights for Victims of Crime, 1995

Officials

President: HRH The Princess Royal

Chair: Catherine Dugmore

Chief Executive: Mark Castle

References

  1. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2014/aug/21/witness-victim-sexual-assault-support-rolf-harris
  2. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moj-grant-agreement-with-victim-support-to-operate-the-national-homicide-service
  3. ↑ http://victimsupporteurope.eu
  4. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28965216
  5. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/sep/14/chris-grayling-victims-rights-law
  6. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/sep/14/chris-grayling-victims-rights-law
  7. ↑ https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/being-volunteer
  8. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2014/apr/11/victim-support-volunteer-care-points
  9. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2866272/Children-shrug-crimes-violence-Young-victims-fail-report-six-seven-offences.html
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