Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis has taken action after learning about shortcomings in specialist support available for children who are victims of crime.
Embrace Child Victims of Crime (CVOC) has been commissioned to work with Staffordshire Police in a pilot providing the first ever dedicated counselling service for child victims.
The six-month project offering specialist therapeutic support to those children most seriously affected by crime is underway with the first referrals being made by officers and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Stoke-on-Trent.
Mr Ellis has supported the project as part of the on-going radical re-think of existing victim services in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent being led by his deputy Sue Arnold.
In the past 12 months there have been over 4,100 young victims of crime in Staffordshire with almost half (49 per cent) suffering violence and 15 per cent victims of sexual offences.
Mr Ellis said: “A child’s trust in the outside world can be completely shattered when they become a victim, often leaving them introverted, isolated, depressed and sometimes desperate. I’ve asked Sue to work closely with Embrace CVOC who have identified a major gap in support services for child crime victims in the UK.”
Mrs Arnold explained: “It’s fantastic that this excellent scheme – which offers prolonged help to young victims – is being pioneered in Staffordshire which is why it’s being backed by funds from our budget.
“It will make a lasting difference to children and their families’ lives mending hearts, minds and families at a time when they need help the most. This is part of the Commissioner’s ongoing work to make sure victims are at the heart of everything we do and are given the right support when they need it.”
Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, Mike Cunningham, added: “Staffordshire Police is dedicated to providing an outstanding service to our communities. We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable people in Staffordshire and perhaps the most vulnerable of all are children affected by crime.
“Crime can have a devastating effect on children and the force has worked closely with Embrace Child Victims of Crime (CVOC) for a number of years to ensure that we get the right support to those children who have been victims of crime.
“One of the most challenging incidents any member of Staffordshire Police can face is dealing with a child victim of crime. Every time they face this challenge, I see examples of exceptional work and officers taking personal responsibility for getting the very best outcome for the person affected. This latest development can only support that work and we really welcome it.
“This service will continue to put the needs of these vulnerable victims at the heart of what we do.”
The pilot service is the result of research carried out by the charity which showed a gap in the provision of therapeutic help for young victims of crime. It also revealed the high numbers of children affected by crime who could benefit from emotional support.
Anne Campbell, CVOC chief executive, said: “Our research showed that the availability of specialist counselling for young people who had suffered life-changing trauma as a result of crime was virtually non-existent and what counselling services were available often had long waiting lists. We found none that prioritised young victims of crime.
“Where counselling services were available, they were patchy and did not prioritise young victims of crime – we aim to provide a service which helps to plug this gap. Crime can have a devastating effect on children and on family life – we see this at first hand in the work that we do to support child victims of crime.”
Embrace CVOC has been working with young victims of crime for over 20 years, inviting police officers to nominate children who have been the forgotten victims of crime for a cheer-up gift, a family break or a Disney Park trip.
Continued Anne: “Our family breaks and holidays prove hugely beneficial as children and adults have shared experiences and they open up to each other. The addition of therapeutic support in the form of counselling is an important, valuable step forwards.
“We raised the issue with the PCC’s office and they have acted quickly to provide match funding for our project. We look forward to working with them and developing a real understanding of the impact of crime on children and young people in the county.”
An evaluation of the six-month project is expected to give information that will help Embrace CVOC extend bespoke counselling services for traumatised children. Currently, those referrals seeking counselling assistance are met elsewhere depending on availability of local general provision.
