One of the people we’ve helped to cope after crime is Maria (not her real name), a mother of two who was a victim of hate crime.
“I was referred to Victim Support following an incident I reported to the police, when I was assaulted by a neighbour who had been harassing me for three years. It started with antisocial behaviour – noise from the flat above, abuse in the street, car damage from my neighbour – which finally resulted with me being assaulted by her sister. I was scared for my safety and for my family’s safety.
“On the day of the incident, my neighbour’s sister was visiting and she saw my husband in the garden and started shouting and abusing him. On my way back I saw my neighbour and her sister in the alley to the flats. I tried to walk past quickly and the sister grabbed me by my hair and shoved me on the ground, kicking and punching me and scratching my face, then she tried to strangle me. I was so shocked and froze at the time. I ran home and called the police.
“The police referred me to Victim Support and I was contacted within a few days and offered some emotional support with a caseworker, Julia. I was also offered a free home security assessment at my property as I was feeling so scared in my home; a gentleman came out and fitted a London bar to my front door and a fireproof letter bag to my letterbox which helped with my anxiety of them living so close. I was also given two personal alarms to carry when I was out of my home as I felt vulnerable out in the street, especially as this is where the attack happened.
“Within a couple of months the perpetrators were charged with common assault. My husband attended court for the plea hearing, where the suspects pleaded guilty and the trial was set for August. Even though this outcome was supposed to make me feel better I had never felt more anxious, and Julia gave me ongoing emotional support which I found extremely helpful. I looked forward to her weekly calls and appointments as they helped me immensely.
“The court case was pushed back three times and Victim Support supported me throughout. Without their support I don’t feel I could have attended trial and provided my best evidence. Knowing that my caseworker believed me and I could trust her with how I felt, and to know she was not judging me, allowed me to move on and start to rebuild my confidence again. I also decided to stay in my family home and feel empowered to lead a normal life again.”