Residents of Caerphilly county borough continue to benefit from a new free service that offers support and guidance to victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour.
To date, the service, which is provided by Victim Support and funded by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, has offered support to 60 families since it was launched in July 2009.
The service is free and confidential and offers support and guidance on how to deal with anti-social behaviour and on moving forward.
Caerphilly is currently one of the few boroughs in Wales to offer this free service to victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour.
The service also offers: –
- Emotional support and practical help
- Mediation, if this is appropriate
- Support and information if you are required to attend court
- Information about crime prevention
Should the victim or witness be required to attend court, the service can also: –
- Help to fully inform the victim of how the courts work
- Offer a pre-trial visit to allow the victim to become familiar with the court surroundings
- Provide support throughout the duration of the trial, and even accompany victims into the court room if required
- Offer practical support throughout the hearing such as help filling out the necessary paperwork
- Talk over the case with the victim when the case has ended and offer further guidance and emotional support
Cllr Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment said, “It is very pleasing that the support service we offer to victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour has been able to make such a real, positive difference to so many families.”
Mandy Davies, Divisional Manager for Victim Support said, “Working together with the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership means Victim Support can offer a comprehensive support service to all sections of the community affected by anti-social behaviour.
We are a single point of contact for the victim, and are able to identify their needs and provide them with the help they require, an end to end service offering emotional support, practical assistance and witness support should they be required to attend court.”
The Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership has funded the training of 15 volunteers, who are able to work with Victim Support to provide the service to the people of Caerphilly county borough.
More than 45 front line staff including police officers, Community Safety Wardens and Tenancy Enforcement staff have also received training.
When an anti-social behaviour referral is submitted against an individual, the victim and witness in each case will have the opportunity to work with Victim Support, who can provide professional, confidential support and guidance to those that require it.
The service forms part of the Home Office’s national neighbourhood crime and justice initiative, Justice Seen Justice Done, of which the Caerphilly county borough is a pioneer area. The initiative focuses on improving public confidence in how crime is tackled and justice delivered.
For further information, please contact Victim Support on 0845 6 121 900.
