PCC urges victims of crime to "just
talk" to her
VICTIMS of crime in Merseyside are
being urged to share their experience of the support they received in order to
help others. Merseyside's Police Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, is asking anyone
who has been affected by crime in the last 3 years to share their views in order
to shape the support services that are provided in the future.
As part of a 6 week Merseyside wide consultation, the Commissioner is asking
people to take part in a short
online survey at which aims to find
out how existing referral processes and support services are working, and which
areas could be improved in order to help victims in the future.
Over the 2017, more than 5,500 victims have been supported by the
Commissioner's Victim Care Merseyside service, a range of help which aims to
help all those affected by crime to cope and recover. Jane is now reviewing
these services to ensure they still meet the needs of victims and is carrying
out the consultation in consider to shape how the service should be delivered
from 2018 to 2021.
Jane said:- "I am now at the early stage of planning the services that I
will commission as part of the Victim Care Merseyside service for 2018 to 2021 and
I want to make sure I am providing the right support at the right time for the
people who need it the most.
I don't want to second guess the needs of victims. I want to deliver the
services that best help them and that's why I am urging anyone who has been
affected by crime in Merseyside during the last 3 years to share their views
and experiences with me. It is only by listening to the voices of those who have
been a victim and gone through this experience that I can get it right. By
taking part in this consultation and by sharing their experiences, they will be
playing a vital role in ensuring even better care and support for victims in the
future.
Victims of crime rely on support services to help them to recover from what can
often be a traumatic event, no matter what the offence. They deserve to feel
involved in the criminal justice process, to be kept up to date on their cases
and given dignity at all stages of the process. I want victims on Merseyside to
receive the very best possible support and, by giving us their views and
feedback, those who have been unfortunate enough to suffer at the hands of
criminals can be involved in a critical stage of this process."
As well as the online survey, victims will also have the opportunity to share
their experiences face to face in a focus group or a 1 to 1 interview.
Victim Care Merseyside is a package of support and care which involves an
intensive referral mechanism embedded within Merseyside Police, 6 specialist
support services and a
website, which acts as 1 stop shop of information and
advice for victims.
It is designed to prevent people becoming repeat victims, protect victims from
further harm and help them to better cope and recover following the crime. It
also ensures services are joined up and consistent around the region, preventing
anyone from being subjected to a postcode lottery of care. The
online survey will run until Saturday, 16
September 2017. Alternatively, if you would prefer to share your views by taking part in an
interview or attending a focus group, please contact the Sarah Barnett,
Independent Research Consultant, on:- 07855 180015 or by
email.
|
