Victim Support asks PCCs to make five promises to victims

Published: 05 September 2012

Date:
06 September 2012
Five promises to victims & witnesses

Five promises to victims & witnesses

Victim Support has launched a manifesto and pledges for police and crime commissioners (PCCs), with support from campaigners Brooke Kinsella MBE, and Nick Ross.

The promises Victim Support is asking PCC candidates to make are to:

  • Be open and accountable to victims and witnesses, seeking out and acting on their views.
  • Ensure that victims and witnesses get the high quality help and support they need, when they need it.
  • Make the police more victim-focused and more effective at meeting their needs.
  • Help victims and witnesses to have a louder voice in the wider criminal justice system, and the community.
  • Constantly improve the experience of victims.

As part of the launch, Victim Support commissioned research into public awareness of the PCC elections. The YouGov survey revealed a number of issues and concerns to support our manifesto in the fight to safeguard the future of victims' and witness services.

The research reveals that:

  • Only one in five people think PCCs will make a positive difference to the support victims get.
  • 91% of people think that it is important PCCs listen to victims when carrying out their role.
  • Less than a quarter of people (23%) believe that victims will be a priority for PCCs in practice.
  • Just one in five (18%) think that PCCs will make a positive difference to the support victims get.
  • Less than half of people (47%) in PCC election areas across England and Wales know about the PCC elections.
  • Almost nine out of ten people do not know what PCCs will do (55% do not know very much and 30% do not know anything).

Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Victim Support said:

"The future of support for victims is in the hands of PCCs.

"But, our survey shows that most people don’t know about PCCs, what they’ll do or have little faith that they’ll prioritise victims’ needs.

"It's now time for PCC candidates to stand up and prove to the public that they are committed to victims.

"That’s why we are calling on all PCC candidates to sign up to five promises, which put victims first."

Find out more about the campaign, our celebrity supporters and how you can get involved.