Victims of crime can sometimes be forgotten. Philip Sedgwick speaks to the local providers of support services

FORTY years ago Victim Support, an independent charity for victims of crime was established throughout England and Wales. It is now the oldest and largest victims’ charity in the world.

Offering a free and confidential service to both witnesses and victims of crime in order to counter the emotional and physical effects, they do not give counselling. However they are able to give both advice and the chance to speak about their experience and “get things off their chest”.

With only 1,000 paid staff they depend on 6,500 trained volunteers. Working closely with, but independently from the police and other parts of the criminal justice system, every year they deal with 1.1 million referrals for help; visiting victims in their homes or at nearby community venues.

The organisation has two main branches; firstly Victim Support, which includes a homicide service, the victim care unit and a manned national support line.

Secondly, with representatives in every crown and magistrates courts in the country, the witness service annually assists over 200,000 people called to give evidence.

Locally, the North-East region is coordinated from the Teesside office in Middlesbrough, where 170 volunteers provide support to 400 victims every month.

Details are usually referred by the police, only with the victim’s consent and can vary from serious sexual assaults to burglary.

Crime affects victims in different ways: emotionally such as worry or loss of confidence and physically, resulting in for example difficulty sleeping. However most people do not suffer any long-term effects after being a victim of crime.

Jayne Forman is the deputy senior service delivery manager, having previously been a volunteer. She has worked at Victim Support for four years and been in her present post for a year.

She explained: “Our approach is victim-led, we always look at what they require and are flexible to what they need.

With youth victims we would want the parents there and take in a whole-family approach.”

Their work brings about a faster recovery from an incident’s trauma, enabling victims feel the criminal justice system is there as for them, as many have no one to turn to.

Ms Foreman continued: “ You cannot underestimate the value to a rape victim that one person is there to just listen to them. It is beyond useful. We respect victim confidentiality, if they have not been in contact with the police that is up to them.”

With many volunteers having full or part-time jobs, a flexible approach to their hours ensures demand is always met.

In fact they have no problem recruiting sufficient volunteers.

Having been a magistrate for 10 years, Phil Smith was attracted to the witness service. Experienced in all aspects of Victim Support, he now coordinates their work throughout Durham.

He explained: “Our volunteers can do both jobs, as many do; however most are clear from the start what aspect of the work they are interested in.

”At court they are assigned for the day, for example at Teesside Crown Court one member of staff and two volunteers look after the day’s witness care. We are there for both defence and prosecution witnesses; we do not know the evidence.

“ I would always encourage witnesses to make a pre-trial visit to court so they know where to go and who is who. “ Mr Smith recounted a story of how a visit can disclose other problems. He said: “We don’t grade crimes, they are all important to the victim.

“ Once a simple shed burglary where the woman did not want to be left alone resulted in the husband losing his job.”

A sexual assault victim in the Cleveland area who wished to remain anonymous said: “I would recommend Victim Support to all victims and witnesses, because I found the chance to talk through how I was feeling really helped. It really benefited me to be able to speak to someone in confidence.”

So how do you become a volunteer? Normally, applicants first call in at the office for a chat, fill in an application form and a questionnaire. All cases are looked at and judged on their merits. A short period shadowing a volunteer can be arranged before committing.

Once the necessary checks are satisfactorily returned there is a four-day training course.

This includes a safeguarding day, training volunteers to look out for other potential problems when making a visit, such as children at risk. A three-month induction period follows, working with a mentor, prior to full duties.

Asked if they feel they are making a difference they both reply an emphatic: “Yes.”

Ms Foreman said: “You can see the change in people and can tell we have made a difference.

We get regular feedback, letters of thanks or cards and verbal praise.

“Many return as volunteers, and this all makes it all worthwhile.”

  • Victims of crime can contact the Victim Support on 08453 030 900. To find out more about volunteering or make a donation visit victimsupport.org.uk.