Victims’ Commissioner urges single point of contact for people affected by crime

Victims of crime should be able to call on one professional so they are not “passed from pillar to post”, the Victims’ Commissioner has said.

Baroness Newlove said having a “single point of contact” to give support and information would benefit victims, as she published a new report.

It said there is currently no one criminal justice agency that takes responsibility for those affected by crime.

“Instead the journey of the victim involves varying degrees of contact from a range of agencies at different stages of the process, often based upon the type of crime they have suffered and the level of risk they are perceived to be of further harm,” the study said.

“At some stages, contact from the different agencies may overlap, but often between stages there may be long periods of time where no contact is being made and victims are left to wonder in a seemingly endless vacuum.”

The single professional would be trained and have knowledge of the criminal justice system – “as well as the compassion and empathy needed to be a source of moral support”.

Baroness Newlove, whose husband Garry was killed by a gang vandalising his car, said: “Victims of crime do not want to be passed from pillar to post; a Single Point of Contact would benefit victims – someone who has the professional knowledge and expertise to assist, inform and support them.

“Criminal justice agencies need to start taking the needs of victims seriously.They should be establishing services that fit around the victim, not the other way round.

“Effective communication, support and empathy are vital in victims’ services to help prevent traumatisation for the victim or further victimisation.”

The report, published in partnership with the University of Portsmouth, collates international evidence on what works to support victims.

The commissioner, who was appointed in 2013, has previously called for more to be done to support victims of crime.

Last year she hit out at police, prosecutors and courts for failing to show compassion when dealing with victims’ complaints.

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