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Merseyside's Police Commissioner
announces new and enhanced support for victims
MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner is
marking the start of a UN's anti violence campaign by announcing her plans to
further improve the care for vulnerable victims of crime across Merseyside.
Jane Kennedy officially launched the Victim Care Merseyside service in 2015
after powers to commission victim support services were passed to Police and
Crime Commissioners (PCCs) from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
As Victim Care Merseyside approaches its third anniversary, the Commissioner has
conducted a comprehensive research programme reviewing the existing service and
assessing how the needs of victims across the region may have changed and
developed since the service was first established.
In light of that review, the Commissioner has announced her plans to further
improve and expand upon the existing package of care and support from 2018
onwards to ensure she delivers the best support for vulnerable victims of crime
in Merseyside. Jane's proposals build on the services that have been running
over the last 3 years and aim to plug any gaps in the service.
Key improvements to the existing service include:-
► Increasing the funding provided to the region's 5 local authorities to provide
support for families and young people affected by domestic abuse or violence.
► More funding for the Vulnerable Victims' Champion service to ensure it can
also provide support for victims of ASB, cyber crime and fraud.
► An enhanced service supporting victims of rape and sexual assault across
Merseyside.
► Nearly doubling the funding provided to support victims of hate crime.
► A dedicated new service offering support to those affected by harmful
practices, including:- forced marriage, so called:- 'honour based'
violence and female genital mutilation.
► A dedicated support service for families who have been affected by murder and
manslaughter, including:- crime related, fatal road traffic collisions.
The strategy also confirms Jane's commitment to maintaining a number of
essential Victim Care Merseyside services, running since 2015, including:- a
dedicated service for victims of all forms of child exploitation, a
pan Merseyside restorative justice helping victims to get answers from their
offenders, and an independent reporting line for hate crime.
To increase the consistency of these services for victims, the Commissioner has
also pledged to commission all the service for the next three years, from 2018
to 2021.
Jane said:- "These are still early days for the commissioning of local
services for the victims of crime. Nobody chooses to be a victim, and when
someone does suffer at the hands of others it is only right that they get the
support to help them cope and recover.
The aim of Victim Care Merseyside is to ensure victims get that support. That's
why I took the decision, as we approach the 3rd Anniversary of the service, to
take stock, review what's working and where we can, improve, to make sure we are
delivering the best possible services.
The nature of crime is also constantly evolving and that means we have to adapt
and update our services to ensure they are meeting the needs of victims today.
As we approach International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,
I am delighted to announce my proposals for how I can continue to improve the
Victim Care Merseyside, service offering more support for more victims.
I am particularly proud that we were 1 of the 1st areas in the country to
offer support for victims of child criminal exploitation, and I have taken the
decision to expand on this forward looking approach to offer a new service
supporting victims of harmful practices and a dedicated service for families who
have been affected by the most horrific of crimes, murder and manslaughter.
I am also expanding some of the existing services, including our provision for
domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault, and hate crime so those services can
reach more vulnerable people.
All of the decisions I've taken to improve the Victim Care Merseyside service
are based on detailed evidence, compiled as part of a Victim Needs Assessment.
This important document provides a really comprehensive overview what victims
need and deserve and I'm very proud of the time, energy and commitment that has
gone into ensuring Victim Care Merseyside delivers the right support for victims
of crime over the next 3 years."
The Victim Needs Assessment was carried out between May and October and
incorporated extensive reviews of the crime data, a 'what works' literature
review, a victim service mapping exercise and feedback sessions with service
providers. Crucially it also involved extensive consultation with victims of
crime, including an online survey, focus groups and 1 to 1 interviews. A
special workshop was also held with nearly 40 support organisations with the aim
of identifying 'hidden' crimes that may still be going on undetected and out of
sight.
Following the announcement, the Commissioner is now inviting organisations
to apply to deliver these services. The application process will be published in
early December 2017. A dedicated commissioning event will also be held to help
organisations understand how the bidding process will work.
Applications will be then be put through a competitive selection process, by way
of a panel, before the successful organisations are notified.
If you have been affected by crime and need information, help or support, please
visit:- VictimCareMerseyside.Org.
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