A new Victims and Witnesses Champion has been appointed in Cardiff to offer support to local people in tackling anti-social behaviour.
Using funding from the Home Office, Shelly Harrold has been appointed to the role by the Safer Capital partnership. She will work alongside Safer Capital partners including Cardiff Council, South Wales Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that those wishing to make a stand against anti-social behaviour feel confident about coming forward and are fully supported throughout the process.
Shelly said: “My previous role working for Victims Support made me very aware of the challenges facing those who want to make a stand against anti-social behaviour. It can, and does, take courage.
“For many victims and witnesses, the thought of standing up in court to give evidence against someone is daunting enough by itself but if they have to return home and live near to that person, they may start to question if it’s worth it. I want to reassure them that it is and let them know that they won’t be doing it alone.”
As Cardiff’s dedicated Champion, Shelly will work closely with other support services, such as Victim Support – both locally and nationally. Her role includes:
- Supporting both victims and witnesses who are suffering with issues of anti social behaviour;
- Providing emotional support through a visit or a drop in session at outreach clinics in the community;
- Making sure those that are most in need of help get it – including vulnerable victims;
- Being a single point of contact/referral point for all anti-social behaviour victims and witnesses;
- Promoting the service – making sure the public in the local area know about the service and that’s its available across Cardiff, and;
- If someone is called as a witness to the courts, offering emotional support on the day and pre trial visits before the court case.
