If Carlsberg made Victim Services…

Cheshire CARES aspires to be the best Victim Service in the country.

But what would that look like?

 

"Victim Voice" was a substantial consultation by the Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire with Victims completed in 2013.

It told us much - including how victims are re-victimised as they retell their story a number of times during the course of their journey, and about how services need to communicate with victims - "better" rather than "more" showing more empathy and the ability to listen.

This consultation has helped shaped the Cheshire CARES service and its aspirations for the future.

My interpretation of what that service looks like is as follows:

A service that finds victims in their hour of need and offers support to them

…and does not rely on them to "opt in“…

A service that is offered to victims of all crime, according to their needs…

….and not according to the "type" or "severity" of the crime...

A service that understands "no" or "not now“…

…but like a good friend or a loved one can be there later if and when needed…

A service that does not judge victims for what they have done or who they are…

…but offers support according to their needs…

A service that is there for victims when they might need it…

…not just when it is convenient to offer it…

A service that is with a victim throughout their journey to cope and recovery …

A service that knows a victim's story…

…and can save them the burden of re telling it and being re-victimised at every step of their journey…

A service that will help advocate on behalf of victims with the greatest needs to get the specialist and bespoke support that they require…

A service that learns from users feedback and strives to do (even) better next time…

A service that at its heart is in fact not about "victims" but about people like you and me…

…delivered by people like you and me…

A service that cares...