A new approach to supporting victims in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent was officially launched by Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove today, Tuesday 8 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.
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.
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.
Baroness Newlove, who has campaigned tirelessly for victims since the tragic death of her husband Garry in 2007, visited Staffordshire Police’s headquarters in Stafford to launch the Gateway today,
She 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.
“The Gateway service really demonstrates where organisations can work together to deliver a joined up, tailor-made support network for victims. No two victims are the same, so the support they receive needs to meet their individual needs.”
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 will get timely advice and emotional and practical support in the way that suits them best, whether over the ‘phone or face to face.
Deputy PCC Sue Arnold, who is overseeing the service on behalf of the PCC, said: “The Staffordshire Victim Gateway is a significant change that fully focuses attention on victims so it was wonderful to have Baroness Newlove at its launch today.
“The Gateway will make sure the system fits the victim rather than the victim having to fit around the system. It will put victims at the heart of decision-making, meaning that they are treated as individuals, and will avoid duplication by joining up multiple services regarding victims.
“This is about a whole-system approach across services to offer general and specific support to victims and witnesses. CAB is a well-respected organisation with considerable expertise in this area after winning the national contract for court-based witness services.
“The Gateway will also offer tremendous value for money because of the additional benefits victims will experience, such as better accessibility and local knowledge.”
A network of victim’s specialists launched last year to offer support to victims who are vulnerable, due to issues such as mental illness, domestic violence or hearing impairment. They will help manage a seamless transition between the Staffordshire Victims Gateway and specialist victim services.
CAB has centres covering all parts of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent which will provide support to victims as part of the contract.
Simon Harris, Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent CAB’s Chief Executive, said: “CAB is delighted to have been awarded this contract to deliver such an important service.
“Traditionally, a lot of people visiting CAB have experienced crime. Now they will be able to come to us for support in that area as well as the other issues that they’re used to talking to us about.
“It’s an exciting development that allows us to build on the work which we have done for many years with victims of hate crime in Staffordshire and more recently working with the PCC’s office in hosting victims’ specialists to support vulnerable people.
“The new Gateway is a really good opportunity to extend the range of support that victims receive by giving them access to a broader range of advice and support delivered through CAB in partnership with experts from other organisations.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jon Drake, from Staffordshire Police, added: “The experience of being a victim of crime lives with those affected for a long time and we recognise that whilst dealing with crime is part of the job for our officers, it is an exceptional and significant event for the victim. It is great news that the services available to victims beyond the service provided by our officers is being enhanced.”
Information about the Staffordshire Victim Gateway is available at www.staffsvictimsgateway.org.uk or by ringing 0330 0881 339.
