More victims and witnesses in Staffordshire will be able to get the help they need when the new Victims’ Code becomes active today, Monday 16 November.
A new approach to supporting victims was officially launched in Staffordshire at the start of September. The Staffordshire Victim Gateway is putting the needs of victims at the heart of the criminal justice system across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. More than 5,600 individuals were offered help in its first month alone.
Now the new national Victims’ Code broadens the definition of a victim to include crimes such as careless and driving and drink driving and extends the range of organisations that victims are entitled to help from.
Supporting victims and witnesses is one of four key priorities in Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis’ Safer, Fairer United Communities strategy for more local and effective policing in the county.
Deputy PCC Sue Arnold, who is overseeing the Gateway service on behalf of the PCC, met national Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove last week to update her on progress in Staffordshire. Baroness Newlove officially opened the Staffordshire Victims’ Gateway on 8 September.
Mrs Arnold said: “Victims need to sit at the heart of any service that aims to help, support and advise them through the emotional and traumatic rollercoaster of dealing with a crime.
“These changes to the Victims’ Code mean even more victims can get the support they need. They send a strong message that victims’ needs must come first – something that we are working hard to ensure through the new Staffordshire Victims’ Gateway.
“The Gateway service really demonstrates where organisations can work together to deliver a joined up, tailor-made support network for victims. It will make sure the system fits the victim rather than the victim having to fit around the system. No two victims are the same, so the support they receive needs to meet their individual needs.”
A Citizens Advice Bureau consortium led by Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent CAB won a three-and-half-year contract to develop the Gateway which offers free advice and support to victims, witnesses and their families.
Staffordshire is the first area in the country to pioneer the new CAB-led approach which is unique because it is based locally, offering a tailored service for victims. For the first time support is being offered to ALL victims – not just those who report crime to police – which means the Gateway will double the number of people offered help from 23,000 to approximately 50,000 a year. Victims get timely advice and emotional and practical support in the way that suits them best, whether over the ‘phone or face to face.
Information about the Staffordshire Victim Gateway is available at www.staffsvictimsgateway.org.uk or by ringing 0330 0881 339.
