An independent charity reacted with dismay after a contract to deliver victim services in Merseyside was not renewed and instead replaced with an in-house police service.
The Merseyside Vulnerable Victims’ Service had been delivered by the independent charity Victim Support for more than 30 years. The charity says it provided tailored help for victims, with "specialist case workers delivering one-on-one support and advice", regardless of whether or not victims of crime had contacted the police.
However Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell allowed the Victim Support contract to end on September 15, to create a new Victim Care Merseyside Hub, which will involve trained police staff.
READ MORE: Children in tears after girl, 12, 'thrown into air' by car as she crossed road
PCC Spurrell says her office will still support 10 independent charities and services to provide specialist support, including for survivors of sexual abuse and rape, harmful cultural practices such as forced marriage, and exploitation and slavery.
DON'T MISS:Live updates as Thomas Cashman accused of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel appears in court
Covid symptom 'more common' than loss of smell as new wave hits UK
'No criminal probe' after man lying in road killed by car
Victim Support, however, claims some victims will now not get the help and support they need due to reluctance to approach a service run by police directly. The charity provided a statement from a victim of domestic violence in Merseyside, who wrote: "At the time I didn’t realise that I was a victim, and if someone had said to me, ‘go to the police’, I never would have. Whereas my Victim Support case worker was more of a person who I just felt safe around and felt like I could speak to...
"From my own experience with domestic violence, there’ll be a lot more victims who are silent if it is solely through the police, because the police have a name. A victim support worker, they don’t, you just feel like they’re normal people. If it is to go ahead, it’s such a shame because so many people are going to be quiet in the background."
The charity also highlighted the views of Mina Smallman, the mother of murdered sisters Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, whose bodies were photographed at the scene of their deaths in a London park and shared in WhatsApp chats by Metropolitan Police officers, sparking a national scandal.
Ms Smallman said: "The thought of victims in Merseyside having their independent support abolished is terrifying. There are no words to describe how important Victim Support was in helping me to cope and giving me the strength to speak out about my appalling experience with the Metropolitan Police. The fact that the charity was independent from the police was so important."
Diana Fawcett, Chief Executive at the charity Victim Support said: "It’s heart-breaking to know that from next month many victims in vulnerable circumstances won’t feel able to get the help they urgently need. Six in 10 crimes go unreported because victims won’t approach the police.
"I don’t see the logic in expecting people with low trust in the police to reach out to them for help when they’re at their most vulnerable.
"We are sad to lose the chance to run this service, but frankly this is nothing compared to our concern about the principle of victims losing their right to support that is independent of the police. A service run by the police, from a police station is not independent. Merseyside has a wealth of excellent, trusted charities that could have run this service - I just can’t make sense of this decision."
PCC Spurrell, however, stressed the changes were based on "feedback from crime victims" and scrutiny of the existing system. The PCC said a Victim Needs Assessment (VNA) carried out by her office last year highlighted that there were still "gaps in provision" and areas where further improvements could be made.
She said: "As a result, earlier this year I took the decision to make changes to the way the current Victim Care Merseyside service is delivered. These changes will significantly streamline the process for a victim of crime by integrating several of the current steps in their journey, including the service previously provided by Victim Support.
"These changes are designed to address the areas of improvement detailed in the VNA and enhance the existing service through the creation of a centralised ‘hub’ of trained, knowledgeable staff – real people making a real difference to victims of crime in Merseyside.
"This hub will provide a single point of contact for victims and survivors, who will be guaranteed access to free, confidential and non-judgemental advice and support, tailored to their needs. It will include a dedicated new victims’ helpline and increased opportunities to access support for all victims, whether they have reported a crime to the police or not; this remains and will always remain the victim’s choice.
"Delivered by a team of specially trained victim care staff and managers, on hand to offer emotional and practical support, it will create a more seamless pathway of care, giving victims a better service. This is the entire focus of this work. I’m particularly pleased all of Victim Support’s staff locally have moved over be part of this dedicated team.
"This decision is based on feedback from victims, careful scrutiny of existing services and other options and learning from other areas. I would like to be very clear that the changes are entirely focused on enhancing the care and support provided to victims and survivors to help them to cope and recover."
READ NEXT:
Beatles' Ringo Starr, 82, cancels concert after falling ill with mystery illness
Coleen Rooney spots son on giant billboard in city centre
Body of man found in undergrowth near retail park
READ MORE: Motorists urged to check the back of their driving licences
