A new website –gmvictims.org.uk – will make it easier for people who have been victims of crime to find information and access support services, even if they haven’t reported the crime to police.
Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd is responsible for commissioning services for victims and survivors of crime in Greater Manchester. He said:
“For people who have been victims of crime, the criminal justice system can be a daunting and confusing place. This website brings together, in one place, the hundreds of vital services that are helping people rebuild their lives. It is the first step in transforming the way services are delivered in Greater Manchester to put victims and survivors of crime at the heart of service design and delivery.
“I hope this website gives victims hope that their needs are being taken seriously, and can get the help they need regardless of how long ago the crime happened or even if you decided not to report it to police.”
Launched on Thursday 22 October, the site brings together information about victims’ services and the criminal justice system under one roof. People can call a helpline, read practical advice and information, or search an online directory to find details of a local support service. All at a time that suits them and regardless of when the crime took place.
The Greater Manchester Victims’ Service website has been put together by Tony Lloyd and other partners, including Greater Manchester Police, local authorities, and various criminal justice agencies.
It is just one part of a whole programme of work intended to transform and improve the way victims’ services are delivered in Greater Manchester, with victims and survivors placed firmly at the heart of service design and delivery.
Tony is keen for people to share their experiences using the feedback tools on the site, so he can make improvements – not just to the website – but to the criminal justice system and the ‘victim’s journey’ as a whole. If you’ve been a victim of crime and you have feedback or a story to tell, visit www.gmvictims.org.uk/have-your-say
Duncan Craig, Chief Executive of Survivors Manchester, an organisation that supports male survivors of rape and sexual assault, said:
“Being the victim of a crime can shake the very foundations you walk on. It can leave you feeling a wide range of feelings and not knowing where to turn – you can often feel really lonely. Bringing together under one roof all of the services so people can find help quicker is a simple and important step forward in helping victims of crime through this often traumatic time.”
An anonymous male survivor of sexual abuse told us:
“When I decided to tell my family I was abused as a child I had no idea where to turn for support. It’s so important for survivors to be able to quickly and easily find the information they need in a safe and secure way. Since getting support from Survivors Manchester my life has improved immeasurably and I feel much more able to cope with what happened to me as a child and live a happy and fulfilled life.”
Directorate Manager of St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Bernie Ryan, said:
“The website will help victims to access support and information at probably one of the most difficult times in their life. Direct access to agencies means that advice is available at the earliest opportunity to support them through the next steps of their journey.”
Joanne Simpson, Manager Independent Choices, a women’s domestic abuse helpline, said:
“It is crucial that victims and survivors of crimes such as domestic abuse are able to access support in an easy and convenient way. Having access to a dedicated website for victims and survivors is a reassuring resource, and enables people to access support in a way that is empowering to them at such a difficult time.”
