Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Ellis is procuring a ‘Victim Gateway’ to support all victims of crime across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Victim services providers are invited to an engagement event on Thursday 11th December at Staffordshire Police Headquarters. At the event, providers will hear more about the proposals and have a chance to question the commissioning officers and the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Arnold about the service and the opportunities available.
Supporting victims and witnesses is one of four key priorities for Matthew Ellis. His Deputy Sue Arnold has worked tirelessly on reviewing and reforming existing victim services , at the core of the agenda are plans for a single gateway to join up the work of support organisations in an understandable way for victims.
The Victim Gateway will provide a single point of contact for all victims, assess victim’s needs and provide tailored guidance and support to help victims to cope and recover from the harm caused by criminal behaviour. The successful service provider will place victims and witnesses at the heart of the assessment and demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of their needs.
Matthew Ellis said: “This gateway will offer ‘one-stop’ access to services and give direction, protection and support which places victims, witnesses and their families at the heart of the process.
“For too long, victims have had to fit the criminal justice system rather than the system fitting victims. The very services that are there to support victims and witnesses can currently be anything but user friendly, meaning that the experience they have of the courts and criminal justice system can be as taxing and traumatic as the original incident.
“A streamlined system that avoids duplication and protects those at risk of becoming a victim or repeat victim will mean that victims are treated as individuals not crime numbers.
By accessing the right service at the right time rather than trying to work their way through a myriad of different agencies, will mean they get the help they need.”
Organisations interested in attending the event can email, Geraldine Lowndes —
geraldine.lowndes@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk; in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner by midday 27.11.2014. Interested parties will be asked to complete short pro forma providing details of their organisation and the services it offers. In addition interested parties will be asked to indicate whether a 1-2-1 session with commissioners from the OPCC is required. These slots may be limited and will be issued on a first come first served basis.
