Agenda item

A presentation on the work of Victim Support was provided by the following representatives: Cora Green (in place of Samantha Popely, Senior Service Delivery Manager, Lewisham and Bromley); Annalisa Nicora, Service Delivery Manager Bromley; Jane Powell, Independent Domestic Violence Adviser at Bromley Police Station; and Lorraine Leon, Independent Domestic Violence Adviser at Victim Support Bromley (also involved with the local Victim Support service to young people).

Annalisa Nicora provided a general introduction to the work of Victim Support including an outline of the organisation’s goal and mission, its volunteer support and the categories of individual helped by Victim Support. Services offered by Victim Support included pre-trial visits to victims or witnesses and support to people affected by unreported crime. Cora Green also spoke on the Safer Bromley VAN Project and Jane Powell spoke on the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Service. Additionally, Lorraine Leon spoke on Victim Support’s service to young people.

A copy of the presentation slides is at Appendix A. A number of comments were made in connection with the slides including those summarised below.

Safer Bromley VAN Project

• The VAN Project started in 2004.
• The service is supported by Housing Associations and the Police.
• Support for people unable to provide security for their homes is not means tested.
• Victim Support is always looking to improve targeting of the service(s).
• Reference was made to changing locks first and fitting window locks and spy holes  - reference was also made to strengthening doors to prevent them being destructively broken down.
• Security can be provided to sheds belonging to the elderly.
• 100 homes were made safer in Bromley during the last quarter - 23 of were for people over 70 and seven were for victims of domestic abuse.
• The source of referrals covered a number of organisations including LBB Environmental Services, GS Platform, Penge, Penge Churches Housing Association, Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the Police as well as domestic abuse victims.
• The VAN Project was reaching out to a range of Housing Associations and Kate Frail, with responsibility for the Project, was working hard at activities such as attending Safer Neighbourhood Panel meetings.

Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Service

• The IDVA service deals with charged cases.
• The main objective of the service is to “hand-hold” clients through the Criminal Justice System.
• Relevant agencies are signposted to victims. 
• Reference was made to a Safety Plan for every male and female victim of domestic abuse and to agencies that Victim Support liaises with. 

• Victims are kept updated and an Adviser attends court with the victim including arrangement of a taxi to court.
• Emotional support is provided and Victim Support is totally committed to providing an excellent service.

Young People’s Service

• Support is provided and reference was made to both “Prison me – no way” and to showing the consequences of actions.  
• Reference was also made to involvement in a health and social care event, to victim impact awareness, to advising in the context of abuse in relationships and to delivery of a workshop on “spiralling”.

Following the presentation a number of questions were asked. In response to a question about Victim Support volunteers in Bromley, it was indicated that there are currently ten volunteers (there would be some five or six volunteers in the next few months). Victim Support was working in co-operation with Community Links and has five to six new volunteer interviews per month; there is a high turnover of volunteers.

The Vice Chairman enquired how victims of unreported crime are referred to Victim Support. Members were advised of an automatic reference from the Police Crime Report Information System.References were also received from social services, education and health. Victim Support worked within a framework of safeguarding and could make a report to the police if there was danger.

Councillor Beckley asked how Victim Support helped witnesses and was advised that Victim Support would accompany witnesses as far as the court. At court the Witness Service would take over. The Portfolio Holder indicated that services such as escorting victims or witnesses to Court helped. 

In response to a question about users of the VAN service, Cora Green indicated that Affinity Sutton did not make any referrals in the first quarter. In response to a further question about funding soon running out, reference was made to Victim Support having received £75k over a three year period with £25k apportioned to each year. It was hoped that this would be supplemented with funds such as housing association funding. On funding from authorities and corporate organisations, it was indicated that fund raising came in many ways e.g. a bid to a charitable trust, a bid to a corporate organisation or a fun day. Mr Ian Smith highlighted the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)/ Direct Line. Cora Green indicated that when putting together a large bid it was possible for Victim Support Bromley to collaborate with Victim Support offices in other boroughs. It could submit a bid on its own but it might not be so competitive against bids from Victim Support in boroughs such as Tower Hamlets.   

It was confirmed to the Chairman that a Victim Support Adviser would also accompany a victim to Youth Court. At Crown Court the victim/witness would be escorted to Court and the adviser would sit in the public gallery. Victim Support would link with the Witness Service at Court. It was indicated to Councillor Canvin that Victim Support advisers are not trained to provide legal advice - victims/witnesses are supported and advised of the process.

In response to a question from Councillor Roxhannah Fawthrop concerning any time limits that might apply for ceasing support, it was explained that if there were any later civil actions Victim Support would endeavour to provide support. Additionally, if there is a support plan, Victim Support advisers would try to provide support for the client. If there was a repeat of the problem, support could also be provided. The support could be stopped when the client wished or the concerns referred to specialist agencies. The average time that support is required was approximately 120 days. Councillor Fawthrop enquired whether a further check is carried out with the victim some time after support had concluded. It was explained that an advisor’s mobile phone number is provided so that contact can be made if necessary at a later date.

In conclusion the Chairman thanked the representatives for attending and providing an insight into the work of Victim Support. He expressed his admiration for the work undertaken including provision of comfort and support to victims and witnesses.