Crime victims set to meet offender in new crime care plan

The integrated, victim-centred support service has been developed in the past year as part of the Commissioner’s determination to put victims at the heart of his plans to provide them with the help they need, when they need it.

Victim Support will deliver the care from 1st April until the end of the year.

There are plans to also get victims to meet the offender to help repair the harm that has been caused.

“It has been clear to me from the outset of my role as Commissioner that victims of different crimes deserve different types of support, both to help them overcome the trauma of what’s happened to them and to reduce their risk of being targeted again,” he said.

“This new service will support victims of anti-social behaviour, identity theft, road traffic collisions and hate crime incidents, on a needs-led basis. Importantly, help will be available to victims through a single point of contact that will quickly set in motion the assistance they need.”

Built around a streamlined referral and triage system, the service assesses and plans what support the victim requires - whether practical or emotional - to help them cope and recover.

Four full-time equivalent caseworkers have been assigned to different locations across the county to provide intensive support to the most vulnerable victims, including victims of hate crime.