04 July 2007
Justice Minister David Hanson has announced an extra £5.6 million to develop and roll out improved services for victims of crime.
Victims of crime are set to benefit from a boost in financial, practical and emotional support after Justice Minister, David Hanson MP, announced an extra £5.6 million to develop and roll out improved services for victims of crime.
He made the pledge during a Victims Support National Conference at Warwick University today. The improved services include:
- Telephoning victims of crime within 48 hours of police referral to Victim Support so that they are contacted and supported more quickly. At present most victims are contacted by letter
- Tailored emotional support for victims of crime that better meets their individual needs such as access to counselling and buying in specialist services for particular offences like domestic violence and road deaths
- Immediate help like organising lock fitting, alarm repairing and transport, such as taxis, where these are not available through other organisations
Justice Minister David Hanson MP said:
"Being a victim of crime is heartbreaking and life changing and whilst no one can stop the hurt, we can seek to reduce the impact that crime has on victims.
"One way we have done that is to ask victims of crime what help and support they want, test that it works properly and then provide the money and infrastructure to make it happen nationally.
"Crucially the Government is working in close partnership with Victim Support so that the benefits are swift and effective. Victims of crime expect and deserve to be put at the heart of the criminal justice system and the extra funding for improved services aims to do that."
The improved services for victims were piloted for six months in Salford, Nottingham and North Yorkshire after the Government provided £1 million. Evaluation has shown that they were successful, they will now be rolled out across England and Wales from September.
Notes to Editors
1. The Government has trebled the amount of money for Victim Support from £11.2 million in 1997 to £30 million today.
2. The £5.6 million comes from the Victim Surcharge Fund that was established on 1 April. £15 of every fine goes towards the Fund.
3. Other enhanced services include: counselling, window locks, glazing repair, security lights, personal alarms, panic alarms, security information and advice, financial assistance and Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority advice.
4. A fact sheet accompanies this news release.
5. For further information, please contact Ministry of Justice Press Officer, Lisa Brett, on 020 7210 8722 or 07778 140 213.
ENDS
Victim Support Factsheet [PDF 0.25mb, 2 pages]