Caerphilly county borough is now able to benefit from a brand new service, which will provide additional help and support to victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour through the appointment of a dedicated Victims Champion.
The Victims Champion aims to promote the needs of anti-social behaviour victims and coordinate local services to help ensure that victims receive the support and information they want and need.
The service can also offer support through acting as a single point of contact for victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour, providing professional, emotional guidance and support.
The Victims Champion can provide practical advice on issues such as crime prevention and target hardening, i.e. making homes and property more secure. The service can also help by providing support to the victim with court proceedings should they be required to attend court, and can refer the victim to counselling services if appropriate.
Cllr Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment said, “This excellent new addition to the community safety team means that we now have yet another tool in our armoury for tackling anti-social behaviour in Caerphilly county borough.
Our approach to tackling anti-social behaviour is two-fold. In addition to the pro-active work that we carry out with our partners at organisations such as Gwent Police and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service to tackle and prevent anti-social behaviour, we are also able to provide dedicated support to the victims and witnesses of this behaviour, and advise them of their rights and on how to move forward.”
This service also complements the work of Caerphilly county borough’s Victim Support service, which to date has provided help and support to more than 60 families who were suffering because of anti-social behaviour.
Lana Harrison, Victims Champion for Caerphilly county borough said, “I have worked with victims of crime for a number of years, and therefore feel I am well placed to extend my experience and knowledge to working with victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour.
I am pleased to be working to promote the needs and rights of victims and witnesses, and look forward seeing some positive results over the coming weeks and months.”
The post, which is being hosted by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, forms part of the Home Office’s Justice Seen Justice Done initiative, of which Caerphilly county borough is a pioneer area.
The initiative aims to increase public confidence in how crime is tackled and justice delivered.
For further information on the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, please visit the Safer CCB website.
To contact the Victims Champion, please call 01443 866920.
