New centre to support victims of crime in York
£1m is being put aside to help victims recover and rebuild their lives.
A new Victims Centre - supporting victims of crime - is going to be created in York.
£1m is being put aside to help victims recover and rebuild their lives.
It'll bring existing services - such as the county's sexual assault referral centre - under one roof and will also be used in parts by North Yorkshire Police.
The centre will provide crisis support and forensic medical examinations to any victims of rape or sexual abuse, of any age, as well as onward referrals to healthcare, social care and support through the criminal justice process in an attempt to support them through the trauma they have suffered and heal for the future.
North Yorkshire Police will use the state-of-the-art video interview suite to provide a safe and secure space where victims can feel as at ease as possible, reducing the amount of time they need to repeat the account of what happened to them with the stress and pain that can cause.
Zoë Metcalfe, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “Being a victim of crime is never easy, but for those who suffer the worst offences that have the biggest impact on them and their families, we must do everything we can to give them the support they need to rebuild their lives.
“This new Victims’ Centre will do that by bringing together services that can make a real difference in one accessible location. Whether it is crisis support and forensic medical examinations, or reducing the trauma of reliving the crimes by having modern video interview facilities, our aim is to reduce trauma and do all we can to help people recover.”
The announcement comes as plans are set out by the government to ensure victims are heard, served and protected at ever part of the justice system, something supported by Commissioner Metcalfe.
A consultation published today asks for views on what should be included in a new Victims’ Law. They could include an explicit requirement for prosecutors to meet the victims of certain crimes before making a charging decision in order to understand the impact on them and their families.
Zoë Metcalfe said: “Too often victims of crime are treated as an afterthought in the criminal justice system so I am pleased the government are recognising this by launching this new consultation.
“Victims deserve dignity and respect. I hope my plans for a Victims’ Centre for North Yorkshire and York coupled with plans for a new Victims’ Law bring us one step closer to their views no longer being ignored or neglected.”