Crime victims have a new champion
A JEWISH mother who was harassed by a stalker for more than a decade has been appointed as London’s first Victims Commissioner.
Claire Waxman, who founded campaign group Voice4Victims in 2013, will aim to improve the experience of crime victims going through the criminal justice system, alongside a three-year £47m investment in support services.
The appointment was revealed by London mayor Sadiq Khan on Twitter on Tuesday.
He wrote: “London’s first Victims Commissioner Claire Waxman will help to dramatically improve the way we treat victims of crime.”
The mother-of-two, from Mill Hill, north-west London, suffered years of harassment at the hands of her stalker.
He was convicted
Claire Waxman of three separate offences and jailed in 2015.
Ms Waxman said she was honoured to have been appointed. “As Victims’ Commissioner, I want to ensure that no victim is left isolated nor unsupported and that the justice system and services are strengthened to offer victims a more compassionate, efficient and supportive experience.”
The post will complement the national role, currently filled by Baroness Newlove and created in 2010 to cover England and Wales.
Mr Khan said: “Crime can have a profound and lasting impact on victims, and it is essential that they are able to access the right support to help them recover. Claire Waxman will stand up for survivors of crime across the capital, making sure their voices are heard and that their needs are at the heart of our policing and criminal services.” Last year, there were 734,190 victims of crime in London recorded by the Metropolitan Police.