- New analysis from Victim Support shows a return of up to £10.80 for every £1 invested in its services.
- Funding cuts of 4.2% this year have left services at crisis point and victims missing out on support.
- Gemma's* story shows the real-life impact of support and its wider benefits.
Victim Support is calling on the Government to urgently reverse funding cuts to vital victims' services and commit to sustained investment – as the charity's new analysis reveals reducing funding costs the public purse more than it saves.
A landmark paper, Support that saves – published today – shows that, for every £1 invested in Victim Support's services, up to £10.80 is saved through reduced costs to health services, improved productivity and lower emotional harm.
Yet, despite these major economic benefits, already stretched services are at crisis point having been hit with a 4.2% cut in government funding this year – on top of rising costs and increased employers' National Insurance Contributions.
Fewer victims will receive support as a result of these decisions. Victim Support is urging the government to immediately reverse this year's funding cuts and commit to sustainable investment in victims' services.
Katie Kempen, Chief Executive at Victim Support, said:
"This report makes one thing crystal clear – the government's cuts to victims' services funding are a false economy. These support services aren't just life-saving, they are cost-saving. There is a real return on investment when victims get the support they need – that's money saved in healthcare, in lost productivity, in long-term harm.
"If you're a victim of crime, access to support services is your right, and funding it is the Government's moral duty – but right now these vital services have been pushed to crisis point by these misguided cuts. This is both ethically wrong and economically reckless. The government must act now, reverse these cuts and commit to sustainable, long-term funding for services."
"A life raft"
Gemma's story, which features in the report, highlights what's at stake. After experiencing domestic abuse from a colleague in her workplace, Gemma was left traumatised and isolated. She struggled with the emotional aftermath and feared losing her job, her independence and her sense of self.
With help from Victim Support, Gemma was able to stay in work, rebuild her confidence and avoid long-term mental health costs, which reflects the wider societal and economic benefits identified in Support that saves.
Gemma said:
"Hannah, my Victim Support caseworker, gave me the strength to stay in the job that I was in. I worked five days a week in the office, and she would call me most days … She was like a life raft….
"I don't think I'd have a life if she hadn't got hold of me and put me back together. I wouldn't be in a full-time job, supporting myself. I have a house, a car, I go on holiday – all of which I pay for myself. The reason that I'm able to do that is because Hannah told me that I'm entitled to live. She made me see that there was a life after abuse."
Gemma's experience shows how specialist support not only transforms lives, but also delivers measurable savings, reducing pressure on public services and helping victims to move forwards.
The findings come at a critical time. Demand for services is rising, yet organisations working with victims are facing real-terms funding cuts, frozen budgets and increased costs. Victim Support warns that, without sustainable investment, services will be forced to reduce staff, cut frontline support and turn away victims in need.
Victims' services help victims navigate a complex, and often intimidating, criminal justice process. They are effective and highly valued by victims, helping them to feel safer and more empowered. These services are more vital than ever in the face of record court backlogs – and are often the difference between victims remaining engaged in the justice process, or walking away.
Crucially, access to services is a fundamental right for all victims of crime, with the Victims' Code stating that all victims have the right to be referred to a support service within two days of reporting to the police. Those that don't report still have the right to access support services at any time.
For more information visit our Support that saves page.