Support service to be launched next month
NEW WEBSITE DESIGNED TO GUIDE PEOPLE THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
A NEW, single point of contact support service for victims of crime and their families is to launch on April 1. ‘Affected by Crime’ will have its own website, and is open to all victims of crime, irrespective of whether it was reported to the police.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) have commissioned Victim Support to deliver it. Affected by Crime will offer support and guidance to victims and families across Humberside. An improved support service for people affected by sexual violence has also been commissioned by the OPCC, run by The Blue Door.
This includes a new sexual violence support centre in Hull, to open in April. Ministry of Justice cash is funding both projects.
Victim Support are an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.
The new website, affectedbycrime. com, is designed to guide people through the criminal justice system and help them connect to support services available to them. It will also have contact details for the service.
“We are thrilled to be delivering this much-needed support for victims of crime in the Humber region,” said Debbie Harding, Victim Support area manager for Humberside, South Yorkshire and North Yorkshire.
“Our specialist service will see caseworkers who understand the local area based throughout the community, tailoring support to people’s individual needs.
“As an independent charity, victims can access our services regardless of whether or not they have reported to the police. We look forward to working with the Police and Crime Commissioner, and alongside other local services, to deliver the best possible support to victims.”
Victim Support have been awarded a four-year contract for the service, worth £2m.
Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison said: “I have listened to victims of crime and commissioned this new service in response to what they told me are their needs and expectations after being affected by crime. Accessibility, inclusion and equality are at the heart of the new service, which strengthens the local support for people affected by crime.” An improved service is also starting on April 1 for people affected by sexual violence. The Blue Door, an independent Community Interest Company dedicated to supporting people affected by sexual harm and associated traumatic incidents, will run the new Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service.
It has been awarded a four-year contract, worth £1.8m. The new service can be accessed by anyone who has experienced harm from sexual violence and abuse – including victims and their families - across Humberside.
The Blue Door’s CEO Steph Price said: “We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to deliver this innovative new support service to those who have experienced the trauma of sexual violence and abuse.
“The service will provide immediate recovery support and practical help and advice for anyone in the region who needs us.
“A new Sexual Violence Support Centre in Hull will open in April 2024, to compliment our existing centres in Scunthorpe and Grimsby, as well extending our support out in the community reaching all areas of the region. “Support hours will be increased to offer help and care for those who need it, at the time that they need it the most.”
“This service will support survivors to create a safe environment to help rebuild their lives,” said Mr Evison, who added that this was also prompted by feedback by victims.