2. 1. Executive summary
2. Introduction
3. What we learned
4. The service needs of victims of crime
5. Delivering services to victims: issues identified & what can be done to address them
6. Appendices
7. References
“I want reassurance that something’s going to be done…..a couple of months
passes and the anti-social behaviour all flairs up again they've shut the case
and then they've got to start a new one… they really need to reassure people
they are going to keep an eye on things and actually do something about it”
(Female victim of anti-social behaviour)
1

3. 1.3 This information told us that:
This report was researched and written by the 1.3.1 Support for victims in Essex is provided
victims’ services advocates (VSA) project. by agencies in both the statutory and
voluntary sectors. There are a number of
The VSA project was commissioned by the effective strategic and operational
former Victims Commissioner in anticipation of partnerships, with representation from all
the arrival of the police and crime commissioner sectors. Despite a reduction in staff
(PCC) for Essex. resources in many organisations, working
together in the interest of victims and
Introduced by the Police Reform and Social witnesses remains a key priority.
Responsibility Act 2011, elected PCCs will replace
1.3.2 Victims emphasised that they need clear
police authorities across England and Wales from
and regular communication from
November 2012.
services. They reported that there was
inconsistent communication about their
This report aims to:
cases from the Police and other statutory
 summarise current support for victims in
agencies, particularly with regard to
Essex
organisations which could provide them
 identify what victims need from local services with emotional and practical support.
 propose a course of action by the PCC to Victims also explained that they want
meet these needs. services that are responsive to their
individual needs and that are able to
1.1 The report was commissioned to look work together to support each victim.
particularly at the needs of the following
groups: 1.3.3 There was very limited local research
 victims of antisocial behaviour available to inform the report. However,
 victims of domestic abuse we were able to draw out some very
 victims of sexual violence useful information to support our work
 victims of hate crime from national research and local
knowledge.
 people bereaved by murder and
manslaughter
1.3.4 Analysis of statistical data from the British
 young victims of crime. Crime Survey enabled us to compare
Essex data and national data. We gained
1.2 Five sources of information contributed to
quantitative insight into people’s
the findings of this report:
perceptions of crime, into their main
 a mapping exercise to identify current concerns, and into how effective people
services for victims in Essex (see appendix 6 in Essex perceive their services to be.
for a list of organisations mapped)
 the contribution of local organisations and 1.3.5 Financial pressure in all service sectors
stakeholders has stretched service providers. Statutory
 focus groups and interviews with victims of and voluntary organisations are keen to
crime work in partnership, to share resources
 a review of statistical data, mainly from the and to work together more effectively, in
British Crime Survey order to protect support services to
 existing local evidence and research on victims.
victims of crime.
2

4. 1.4 Looking in more depth at the needs of 1.4.4 There are very few well established
Essex victims and witnesses in the key services supporting those bereaved by
crime categories, we further identified murder or manslaughter in
that: Essex. Evidence confirms that the impact
of homicide can affect more than just
1.4.1 There is a strong commitment from the one or two members of the family. Our
authorities in Essex to address anti-social findings indicate that further research
behaviour and support victims. The into the demand and capacity of services
introduction of minimum standards by working in this area is needed. This is
Essex Police should significantly enhance particularly so with regard to accessing
the experience of victims. counselling, with regard to accessing
Communication to the public of the therapy and with regard to support for
priority placed on addressing anti-social children and young people.
behaviour has the potential to not only
improve the perception of how the 1.4.5 Under reporting of hate crime is high and
Police and other agencies are viewed, but further work is required to build up an
also to encourage an increase in accurate picture of hate crime in Essex.
reporting. There is little independent Essex Police is committed to improving
support available for victims of anti- reporting and detection rates of hate
social behaviour, especially where crime. As elsewhere in England, there is
incidents are not treated as criminal confusion among victims about what
offences. hate crime is. This can prevent victims
reporting an incident. Essex also has a
1.4.2 Essex has high demand for services which number of voluntary organisations which
respond to domestic abuse incidents, yet provide support for victims of hate crime
findings identified a significant gap in and act as third party reporting centres.
meeting this service demand. As Much of the current support available,
elsewhere in England, Essex has low however, is subject to precarious funding.
Independent Domestic Violence Adviser
(IDVA) provision. Funding for increased 1.4.6 There are very limited specialist services
number of IDVAs needs to be for young victims in Essex. Further
strategically reviewed and resolved as a research is required to determine what
matter of urgency. Communication with support young victims need. Research
victims about their cases should be from across the country showed that
improved so that they can easily find out young people often feel that they are
what is happening. perceived as offenders rather than as
victims by the police. In general, young
1.4.3 There are limited Independent Sexual people felt that in most cases they would
Violence Adviser (ISVAs) resources to deal with the situation themselves. Based
respond to the increasing demand of on the evidence and research we have
more cases going through the Sexual gathered, more work is required to build
Assault Referral Centre (SARC). There are relationships with young people and to
three ISVAs for Essex. Two are managed break down barriers they have in dealing
by Victim Support and one is managed with the Police.
by South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis
Centre (SERICC). This low number of
ISVAs may prevent some victims from
accessing support. We also found
inconsistent communication to victims
by agencies.
3

5. 1.5 Taking into account the findings of this 1.6.4 The Police and Crime Commissioner
report and the duty on PCCs to obtain should invest in training and support for
the views of victims of crime before volunteer community resources to
setting their policing plan, this report provide cost-effective support services
proposes the following actions to address and to reach victims in diverse
the issues identified in this report: communities and victims with barriers to
accessing services.
1.6 Proposed actions
1.6.5 The Police and Crime Commissioner
1.6.1 The Police and Crime must ensure that victims’ voices are
Commissioner(PCC) should ensure that heard. This can be done by providing
victims’ issues are prioritised by support for increased use of measures
appointing a senior member of his/her such as victim personal statements and
team to be the ‘Essex Victims Champion’ restorative justice programmes. It can
responsible for all aspects of victims’ also be done by investing in victims
services. advisory panels and by ensuring that the
Essex Voluntary and Community Sector
1.6.2 The Police and Crime Commissioner network is represented on these panels.
must ensure the sustainability of
independent services for victims both in
the immediate aftermath of a crime and
for the longer term through an outcome
based approach. The PCC should work
with other commissioners in the county
to ensure that appropriate, relevant
services are available to victims. They
should prioritise services which are able
to meet victims’ needs as they change
and services which prevent escalation of
risk. They should also encourage service
providers to work together as it is
unlikely that one service provider can
ever fully meet the needs of a victim.
Recognising multiple needs and
encouraging services to work together to
meet these needs may reduce the risk
that specialist services are not lost as a
result of commissioning processes.
1.6.3 The Police and Crime Commissioner
should establish an Essex multi-agency
victim hub which would provide a single
on-going point of contact for victims,
who are not automatically referred or do
not directly access other agencies. The
hub would outline options for courses of
action, would provide updates on case
progress and information about criminal
justice processes, and would also provide
a gateway to support services.
4

6. victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends
and others affected across England and Wales.
This report was written for Essex and aims to:
2.1. Police and crime commissioners  provide a picture of current support for
victims in Essex
Introduced by the Police Reform and Social  identify what victims need from local services
Responsibility Act 2011, elected police and crime  propose a course of action by the PCC to
commissioners (PCCs) will replace police meet these needs
authorities across England and Wales from
November 2012. In London the Mayor’s Office The report seeks to present the views of victims
for Policing and Crime took on this role from and service providers in Essex.
January 2012.
While the project took great care to explore the
PCCs will be elected by the public to hold chief full range of issues concerning victims’ services in
constables and their force(s) to account. PCCs Essex and to consult a wide range of local
will be responsible for setting the police force’s stakeholders and partner organisations, it is
strategic priorities, cutting crime and ensuring acknowledged that there may be issues that the
that policing is efficient and effective. PCCs will report has not been able to cover, given the
also be responsible for appointing the chief timescales and scope. It is also acknowledged
constable. that, given the complexity of the subject area, in
some cases issues are raised which do not have
PCCs will be expected to work with a range of straightforward solutions. These will require close
public, private and voluntary partners working in partnership working across systems and agencies
criminal justice, community safety and public to deliver change.
protection. It will have a significant role to play in
the commissioning of some local services 1 which The report was commissioned to look particularly
may include services for victims of crime 2 . at the needs of the following groups:
PCCs will also have a specific duty to obtain the  victims of antisocial behaviour
views of victims of crime 3 before setting the local  victims of domestic abuse
policing plan. This gives an unprecedented
 victims of sexual violence
opportunity for victims to influence the services
they get.  victims of hate crime
 people bereaved by murder and
2.2. This report manslaughter
 young victims of crime
This report was researched and developed by the
victims’ services advocates (VSA) Project. The Victims’ services advocates were recruited to
project was commissioned by the former identify and research the needs of victims of
commissioner for victims and witnesses in crime, and to identify and research issues of
anticipation of the arrival of PCCs, and delivered concern to those who provide services to victims.
by Victim Support. Victim Support is the national
charity giving free and confidential help to This is one of 42 local reports, covering every
police area in England and Wales. 4 Delivery of
the reports has been overseen by colleagues
from the Home Office, which funded the project,
1
Police and Crime Commissioners: Have you got what it and the Ministry of Justice. Ownership of all 42
takes? Home Office, 2011 reports sits with the Home Office.
2
At the time of writing, the government is consulting on
proposals to devolve responsibility for commissioning local
services to victims and witnesses to PCCs (Getting it right for
victims and witnesses, Ministry of Justice, January 2012)
3 4
Introduced by The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Including the Metropolitan Police, but not the City of
Act 2011 London Police, which is unaffected by the reforms.
5

7. We acknowledged at the outset that a single
organisation may provide a range of individual
services, so this exercise set out to map services,
Five sources of information contributed to the not organisations.
findings of this report:
What was out of scope?
 a mapping exercise to identify the services The research did not include services offering
that currently exist for victims in Essex (see more generic support – for example services
appendix 6 for a list) offering general support around housing, or drug
 consultation with local organisations and and alcohol support. It is acknowledged however
stakeholders that some victims may not seek help from
 focus groups and interviews with victims of specialist victims’ services, and therefore that we
crime may not have included the full range of services
 a review of statistical data from sources accessed or required by victims.
including the British Crime Survey
 existing local evidence and research. Further research would be required to assess the
full range of services used by victims, especially
This chapter outlines what we learned from these those in the most vulnerable circumstances,
different sources about what victims need from whom services can find harder to reach.
local services.
This mapping exercise should not be seen as
3.1. Mapping services to victims in Essex comprehensive or exhaustive. It should also be
noted that, as with any such exercise, the
The victims’ services advocates (VSA) project landscape can change rapidly. To the best of our
undertook a mapping exercise to identify services knowledge, the information contained in this
for victims in Essex. This involved: report was correct at the time of writing.
 desk based research into local services
 discussions with key local organisations –
including police, local authority and third
sector agencies – about services available The landscape of services to victims in Essex
 feedback from local victims of crime.
Essex is divided into 14 local government
What was in scope? districts, including two Unitary Authorities in
Southend and Thurrock. Essex Police provides a
This was a time-limited project, spanning a 12 service in all districts.
month period. The project focused primarily on
services for: The county-wide Safer Essex Partnership has
responsibility for initiatives responding to the
 victims of antisocial behaviour issues of crime, disorder, drugs and alcohol.
 victims of domestic abuse Essex has 12 Community Safety Partnerships
 victims of sexual violence (CSPs) that work closely together to reduce anti-
 victims of hate crime social behaviour, crime and the fear of crime.
 people bereaved by murder and CSPs are made up of representatives from the
manslaughter Police and Police Authority, the local authority,
 young victims of crime. fire and rescue, health and probation services.
They work together to develop and implement
It also included services for witnesses if offered as strategies to meet local priorities to reduce crime
part of a combined victim/witness service. and to help people feel safe. They develop local
approaches to deal with priority issues including
6

8. anti-social behaviour, drug or alcohol misuse and The South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre
re-offending. (SERICC) is funded for one ISVA post covering the
areas of Thurrock, Basildon and Brentwood.
Thurrock has a Community Safety Partnership
which builds and maintains relationships across Support exists for other crime categories such as
the district so that those involved in community anti-social behaviour. Each Community Safety
safety in its widest sense can support each other Partnership has established minimum standards
in the shared pursuit of their strategic aims. to ensure that victims are treated fairly and with
dignity. Practical support is available to address
Southend has a Community Safety Unit which is victims' needs, and relevant information and
multi-agency and based at Southend Central intelligence are shared. Victim Support offers
Police Station. anti-social behaviour victims advice and support
in two local authority areas – Braintree and
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime Thurrock. These areas are short-term project
funded to focus upon repeat or vulnerable
Essex Police is committed to compliance with the category victims, and to focus upon anti-social
Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, which sets behaviour when it is linked to a reportable crime.
out minimum service requirements for updating Neighborhood policing teams work closely with
victims of crime between 1-5 days depending on victims of anti-social behaviour to resolve local
the trigger point and vulnerability of the victim. issues.
Compliance with the code is a requirement by Voluntary sector agencies provide a variety of
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. The support services for victims of hate crime, and
executive level of Essex Constabulary takes dedicated police Hate Crime Officers investigate
responsibility for compliance. Outcomes are reported incidents. These officers have
used at Divisional Command and are also utilised established links with other criminal justice
at local level as a management tool to monitor agencies, as well as many public and voluntary
performance and disseminate best practice. sector organisations, which may be able to
provide a victim with further support or advice.
Overview of Services in Essex
Domestic abuse services exist in the form of
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs)
managed by Victim Support. IDVAs provide
independent support to high risk victims. They 3.2 What victims in Essex told us
assess risk, carry out safety planning, and
facilitate effective partnership working within From autumn 2011 we held a series of focus
multi-agencies dependent on the victim's groups and interviews with victims of crime in
engagement with the criminal justice process. Essex. Some but not all had also been witnesses;
IDVAs also provide advice, information and some had had no contact with the criminal
support to survivors of domestic abuse about the justice system at all.
options available to them. This increases the
personal safety of survivors and their children. We recruited people to the focus groups and
Essex Police has a team of specially trained interviews through:
officers called Domestic Abuse Liaison Officers.
Their role is to investigate and offer immediate  ‘gateway’ organisations, i.e. organisations
and long term support to those most at risk. whose services the victims’ services advocate
Two full-time Independent Sexual Violence had already had contact with through the
Advisors (ISVAs) are managed by Victim Support mapping exercise. Victim Support, as the host
and provide support for victims of sexual organisation for the project, was one such
violence. They cover all of the Essex police area. organisation
Referrals are via Oakwood Place Sexual Assault
 partner organisations in the criminal justice
Referral Centre (SARC). Victim Support provides
system, especially the police
support throughout the Criminal Justice Process.
7

9.  advertising using bespoke publicity materials inadequate communication. A variety of issues
 publicity in local media. with communication were mentioned, including
keeping victims up to date, explaining the
All participants had generally experienced the process and the attitude of the officers involved.
crime in the last two years. We sought to ensure Victims we spoke to described the impact a lack
from the outset that their feedback was based on of follow-up contact from officers had. Where
recent experience and relevant to current follow up was good it was often mentioned as
services. The exception to this was some victims one of the key things that kept the victim
of sexual abuse who had experienced the crime engaged in the process, ‘I know I can ring them,
up to five years previously but had received it's in their minds, you feel like you’re not
services relating to that experience more interrupting’. The attitude of officers was also
recently. important to the victims we spoke to. They
wanted officers to show understanding, care and
The project did not interview people bereaved by sensitivity to the situation, ‘One single sentence
murder and manslaughter. Instead, the project can change the whole situation’. Victims who
has referred to the 2011 report by the then experienced a lack of follow-up felt that officers
commissioner for victims and witnesses on the did not care.
service landscape for people bereaved by murder
and manslaughter 5 . Another common theme that emerged was the
need for police officers to take victims seriously,
The project was also asked to consider the needs and to believe them. This was particularly
of young people as victims of crime. In many important for victims of anti-social behaviour,
police force areas, there are very few specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence whom we
services for young victims. Evidence also suggests spoke to.
that young people are very reluctant to report
crime in the first place, making it more difficult to There were also common themes with regard to
identify and respond to their needs. the support needs of victims. Victims we spoke
with emphasised that victims need someone to
To avoid singling young people out within focus support them before problems escalate. They
groups, the VSA did not ask individual young also thought that victims need better
people whether or not they had been victims of advocacy/action based services, and support
crime. This means that it is not possible for us to which is flexible to the needs of each individual.
say that the views expressed apply to young They mentioned the interaction between services
victims per se. and the need for more service coordination.
Victims who had benefited from an advocate or
Further specialist research would be required in support coordinator spoke of ’having someone on
order to determine the specific service needs of their side’. Victims of anti-social behaviour we
young victims of crime. spoke to often wanted support which would
quickly end the behaviour of perpetrators.
What we learnt from victims in Essex Victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse
whom we spoke to had more long-term needs.
Common themes from Focus Groups and They explained that they need someone to listen
Interviews to them – someone who will help them rebuild
their lives.
Several common themes emerged from the focus
groups and interviews conducted with victims in
Essex.
The most common theme mentioned across the
crime/incident types was inconsistent and
5
Review into the Needs of Families Bereaved by Homicide,
Louise Casey CB, July 2011
8

10. 3.3 What existing evidence and research from 3.4 What the data tells us about victims and
Essex tell us witnesses in Essex
The victims’ services advocate(s) in Essex called A number of sources of data are used throughout
on local partner organisations to identify any this report to give a more comprehensive picture
existing research, surveys or other evidence to of crime in Essex. We have drawn on data from
inform his understanding of the needs of victims. The British Crime Survey (BCS) to understand the
true extent of personal crime than police
The VSA project has drawn on the evidence from recorded statistics because the survey includes
the following sources: crimes that are not reported to, or recorded by,
the police.
 Essex Police and Essex Police Authority
Strategic Plan 2010-2013 6 Police recorded crime is an important indicator
 Essex Police Plan 2012 7 of the workload for local police forces and also
includes crime categories that are not covered by
The strategic plan outlines the direction for the BCS, including homicide.
policing in Essex over the next three years and
provides the framework for the policing plan. The
plan takes account of the views and concerns of
the people of Essex, which were identified
through wide-ranging engagement and
consultation. Essex Police aims to tackle crime Crime in Essex
and anti-social behaviour by reducing recorded
crime to less than 100,000 offences per annum In 2010/11 there were 103,445 recorded crimes
by 2014. It wants Essex to become the safest in Essex, or 60 crimes per 1000 population. This
county in England and Wales, and aims to do this compares to the national average of 76 per 1000
by: population.
 targeting those crimes that are of most The 2010/11 British Crime Survey(BCS), which
concern to local people through an includes data on unrecorded as well as recorded
intelligence-led approach crime, estimates that there were 144,288
personal crimes in Essex, or 1021 per 10,000
 building on the strong links with partnerships
population. This compares to the national
and communities to tackle those issues that
average of 837 personal crimes per 10,000
most affect people’s quality of life, especially
population.
anti-social behaviour
 continuing to develop neighbourhood The BCS 2010/11 also estimates that there were
policing teams across Essex to provide a 156,999 household crimes in Essex, or 2679 per
highly visible and accessible service that 10,000 households. This compares to the
improves face-to-face contact with the public national average of 2496 crimes per 10,000
 tackling violent crime, including domestic households.
abuse and hate crime
 increasing police visibility and reassurance Perceptions of the local police and council
 improving both the timeliness and the quality
of response to calls for assistance. According to the British Crime Survey, 57% of
respondents thought the police in their area are
doing a good or excellent job. 51% of
respondents also thought that the police in their
area can be relied upon when needed. However,
6
Essex Police and Essex Police Authority Strategic Plan with regard to whether victims thought the
2010-2013 police in their area can be relied upon when
needed, this percentage fell to 49.5%.
7
Essex Police Plan 2012
9

11. Overall, 69% felt that the police in their area 3.5 What partner organisations and stakeholders
understand the issues affecting the local in Essex told us
community. Only 54%, however, felt that the
police were dealing with the things that mattered This report could not have been produced
to them. without the generous contribution of service
providers throughout the voluntary and statutory
53% of respondents felt that the police and local sectors in Essex, including criminal justice
council are dealing with anti-social behaviour agencies.
and crime issues. 70% of respondents felt that
the police and local council are effective in Their contribution has been invaluable in:
reducing anti-social behaviour. However, only
45.5% felt that they were kept informed about  mapping service provision
how these matters were being dealt with.  recruiting participants for focus groups and
Furthermore, only half of those surveyed thought interviews
that the views of local people were sought on  obtaining evidence and research
anti-social and crime issues that matter in their  reviewing our findings and recommendations
area.
 publicising the project and helping the
victims’ services advocates develop their
Satisfaction with the police and the Criminal
network of contacts.
Justice System
Feedback from different partner organisations
According to the British Crime Survey, only 37%
and stakeholders, including service providers,
of respondents felt very or fairly confident that
was varied. This reflected the different groups of
the criminal justice system, as a whole, was
victims they come into contact with, the different
effective. 67% of victims surveyed said that they
crimes those victims have experienced, and the
were not very confident or were not at all
different stages at which they come into contact
confident in the effectiveness of the criminal
with victims. However, some common themes
justice system.
did emerge.
55.5% of victims strongly agreed or tended to
There was general agreement that there is a need
agree that the criminal justice system gives them
for the development of clear referral pathways to
the support they need and 69% agreed that their
access appropriate routes for victims as they
views were taken into account. 47.5% of victims
make their journey through the various support
said that they were either not very confident or
agencies supported by common assessment tools
were not at all confident that the criminal justice
between agencies. Stakeholders felt that there
system, as a whole, was fair.
was already good practice in place – in relation to
domestic abuse for example, and in each of the
Victim Support works with local police to support
authorities in relation to anti-social behaviour.
victims and witnesses. Up until recently victims
Stakeholders also felt that professional
had to confirm that they wanted to be referred to
judgement should play an important part in any
Victim Support, however now all victims of crime
assessment of victim need. It was recognised that
are contacted and offered a service. The
without this, assessments can start to become
categories of crime referred include assaults
‘tick box’ exercises that do not engage with the
(including murder), sexual assaults, domestic
victim.
abuse and burglary. Referral rates to Victim
Support vary between forces and more work is
Improved information sharing between agencies
being done in Essex to increase referrals as, for
was reported as an effective way of preventing
example in 2011 only 65% of racial assaults
victims from having to make reports to different
(including harassment) were referred to Victim
agencies. A single point of contact to
Support.
communicate with the victim, for example, was
suggested as a way to deal with multiple
interventions. It was also reported that while
high risk victims often have one person, such as
10

12. an IDVA, who liaises with them, there are
insufficient resources to provide this same level
of service to victims assessed at standard or
medium risk. Stakeholders also felt that there
was a need to develop mechanisms for
identifying those who are more likely to escalate
from standard to high risk.
Another key concern expressed by agencies was
managing expectations of victims. Most agencies
are moving towards a victim-centred approach,
which assesses vulnerability and risk, and
provides support in line with assessment
outcomes. However, agencies felt that there
needs to be improvement in providing
information on case progression and available
support to victims.
11

13. Victims can find the process confusing if it is not
properly explained, which may result in them
losing confidence in the process.
This project was initially commissioned to focus
on victims of:
 victims of prolonged anti-social behaviour
 victims of domestic abuse Anti-social behaviour in Essex
 victims of sexual violence
 people bereaved by murder and Anti-social behaviour covers a range of incidents
manslaughter. and offences. For the purposes of this report, we
are using BCS measures of perception of anti-
After the initial mapping exercise, it was agreed social behaviour and recorded anti-social
that the project should also consider: behaviour incidents. These figures provide an
indication of levels of anti-social behaviour.
 victims of hate crime, and
 young victims of crime In 2010/11, there were 71,056 recorded incidents
of anti-social behaviour in Essex. This represents
This chapter considers all the information an 11% decrease in the level of incidents from
gathered over the lifetime of the project and aims 2009/10, compared with a national change of 8%.
to draw some conclusions about the priority The 2010/11 British Crime Survey 9 indicates that
service needs of each of these groups of victims 11% of people in Essex perceived there to be high
in Essex. These conclusions have been informed levels of anti-social behaviour in 2010/11.
by existing evidence and research, both national
and local. Despite an 11% reduction in anti-social
behaviour in Essex, in the same year, only 53% of
4.1. Victims of prolonged antisocial behaviour the public surveyed from the area as part of the
British Crime Survey, said that they were satisfied,
What is anti-social behaviour? to some extent, with the way that police and
local councils are dealing with anti-social
“Behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, behaviour. Only 50% felt that they were
harassment, alarm or distress to one or more consulted in respect of their views about anti-
persons not of the same household as the social behaviour. To increase public confidence,
perpetrator.” 8 12% felt that the criminal justice system needed
to improve tackling anti-social behaviour and
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary minor crime. This was the second highest
(HMIC) produced the ‘Stop the rot’ report on improvement need identified by the public. The
anti-social behaviour in September 2010. highest recorded improvement need was tougher
sentencing at 27%.
This stated that, “ASB is a blight on the lives of
millions who are directly affected; on the What else do we know about anti-social
perceptions of millions more for whom it signals behaviour in Essex
neglect in their neighbourhoods and the decline
of whole towns and city areas; and the reputation Essex Police chairs the Essex anti-social behaviour
of the police who are often thought to be Forum, which shares best practice and ensures all
unconcerned or ineffectual”.
9
Addressing anti-social behaviour incidents can be Victim Support analysis based on Home Office:
a long and drawn out process, requiring a Research, Development and Statistics Directorate and
coordinated approach from a range of agencies. BMRB, Social Research, British Crime Survey; 2010‐11,
as above.
8
Crime and Disorder Act 1998
12

14. agencies work together to reduce anti-social reassurance from the police that something is
behaviour and repeat victimisation. The police going to be done and they want to be listened to:
are also committed to a set of minimum
standards in the way reports of anti-social ‘We are elderly people, as my husband is sick we
behaviour will be treated. Essex Police have clear can't consider moving. We would have moved if
procedures for responding to victims of anti- we were younger’. (Female victim of anti-social
social behaviour and to those who are repeat behaviour)
victims. Essex Police respond to repeat victims of
anti-social behaviour by grading the crime Better communication was important to all the
bronze, silver or gold. This sets what level of victims we spoke to. They felt they should be
action is assigned to each case and identifies the given a plan of action, which includes timescales.
number of incidents and the vulnerability of the A Police presence on the street was cited as
victim. It also ensures that repeat or vulnerable important in preventing anti-social behaviour,
category victims are highlighted at an early stage particularly in respect of dealing with young
and that appropriate actions and interventions people. Some victims commented that they used
are put in place. to see Police Community Safety Officers on the
street but that they do not see these officers
Essex Police also circulate a list of anti-social anymore. Anti-social behaviour victims we
behaviour and vulnerable victims on a weekly spoke to also thought that the police should
basis to Sergeants, Inspectors and Senior make anti-social behaviour victims aware of any
Managers who can then check to see what voluntary organisations which could give them
problem solving/safety plans have been put in independent support.
place. An anti-social behaviour incident does not
often involve a crime. Therefore, many anti- Victims also said that they received the greatest
social behaviour incidents are not recorded support from other organisations including local
under a crime file in the police electronic authorities, housing associations and Victim
recording system. Instead, Essex Police maintain Support. This included practical and emotional
an actions log in which incidents and work support and facilitated mediation. Victims said it
progress are logged under the Joint Problem was important to have someone they could talk
Solving System database (JPS). This database uses to, who was on their side and who focused on
a traffic light colour coded system. The them as the victim.
Neighbourhood Policing Team provides support
to victims of anti-social behaviour following an
incident.
Support for victims of anti-social behaviour in
Essex Case study
Victim Support was commissioned by A woman was a victim of anti-social behaviour
Greenfield's Housing Association, Braintree incidents. These included objects being thrown
District Council and the Police to provide an anti- at her house, pets and garden, oil being put on
social behaviour support service to vulnerable her car, and verbal abuse. These incidents mainly
and repeat victims of anti-social behaviour in the seemed to happen when she was alone in the
Braintree district. Support for victims of anti- house with the children:
social behaviour is also provided by local
authorities and by other housing associations. ”‘All of it makes me very wary of what's going on,
and it’s taken effect on my mental health – I’m
Feedback from victims of anti-social behaviour always on edge when my partner’s out at work
and I don't let my children out of the front door
Victims we spoke to reported that they had a now, purely for safety reasons. The GP prescribed
mixed experience of accessing support services me antidepressants”.
for anti-social behaviour. Victims want
13

15. The incidents were reported to the police, but isolation and to ensure that ongoing
nothing was done about them: victimisation and hotspot locations are identified.
Frontline staff who respond to incidents of anti-
”They really need to take things seriously. They social behaviour should be fully aware of the
need to deal with it quickly, explain what they're services that are available to victims. They should
doing, how it's going to be done and give a rough also understand how those organisations can
timescale. They should keep on top of it, as it help and how a victim can access support from
needs to be dealt with at the beginning and not those organisations. There needs to be
left to run on. It would just be good to have some improvement in communicating to victims what
reassurance that something’s going to be done is happening regarding their case.
and for them to stick to what they say they’ll do –
because they don’t. They also need to make sure There also needs to be effective publicity to
we are kept in the loop with what’s happening. ensure that the public are aware of partnership
Often we have to keep ringing them and chasing working around anti-social behaviour, and to
things up. Why should I have to chase them?” ensure that the public understand that non-
police agencies also view anti-social behaviour as
a priority. If more victims were aware of the
support available for them, then more would be
likely to report incidents.
Case study
Victim Support was commissioned by
Greenfield's Housing Association, Braintree
District Council and the police to provide an anti-
social behaviour support service to vulnerable
and repeat victims of anti-social behaviour in the
Braintree district. Funding was obtained from the
Essex Community Foundation to run the service
for a two year period.
The service aims to fully train volunteers to
provide emotional support, to explore the
victim’s needs, and to identify what options may
be open to victims. If required, volunteers
can contact relevant agencies on behalf of the
victim. Volunteers can also provide practical
support, such as helping victims to complete
insurance forms and supporting victims should
they need to attend meetings to discuss their
case. The volunteer will continue to offer support
for as long as it is needed.
Conclusions
The police and other agencies are beginning to
work together to reduce anti-social behaviour in
Essex, however, the public is not fully aware of
these initiatives. Raising public awareness would
improve confidence and satisfaction.
Systems need to target resources to ensure that
reported incidents continue not to be taken in
14

16. 4.2. Victims of domestic abuse creation of multi-agency risk assessment
conferences (MARACs) and independent
What is domestic abuse? domestic violence advisors (IDVAs) has led to
improvements in the services victims receive.
‘Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence
or abuse [psychological, physical, sexual, financial The domestic abuse charity Co-ordinated Action
or emotional] between adults who are or have Against Domestic Abuse (CAADA) estimates that
been intimate partners or family members, for every £1 spent on MARACs at least £6 of
regardless of gender or sexuality.’ 10 public money can be saved on direct costs to
agencies every year. 13 This represents potential
Domestic abuse is not a type of crime in itself but savings to the public purse of a national MARAC
describes the context in which types of crime can programme are over £740m annually, although it
occur. The types of crime most commonly should be acknowledged there have been calls
‘flagged’ by police as domestic abuse when for further research to verify these figures.
victims are referred to Victim Support are actual
bodily harm, common assault and harassment. The government’s Action Plan to End Violence
against Women and Girls, published in March
The British Crime Survey 2010/11 includes a self- 2011, contains 35 wide-ranging proposals, which
completion module on intimate violence. This require partnership working with and between
covers emotional, financial and physical abuse by government departments. It is too early to
partners or family members, as well as sexual comment on the effectiveness of the action plan,
assaults and stalking experienced by 16-59 year- but a review of IDVAs in 2009 estimated that
olds. there were less than half the number of trained
advisors needed to give adequate coverage for all
Women are more likely than men to have high risk cases in the UK. Research undertaken
experienced all types of intimate violence. for this report indicates that there are still gaps.
Overall, 30 per cent of women and 17 per cent of This is a continuing cause for concern. 14
men had experienced domestic violence since
the age of 16. These figures were equivalent to an A recurring theme in our conversations with
estimated 4.8 million female and 2.8 million 16- victims of domestic abuse was that their first
59 year-old male victims of domestic violence in experiences with a support agency were a key
England and Wales. 11 factor in determining whether they would
continue with any action that had been initiated,
In addition 7% cent of women and 5% of men and whether they would report any future
reported having experienced domestic violence incidents.
in the last year, equivalent to an estimated 1.2
million female and 800,000 male victims in
England and Wales. 12
Much has changed in how the police and other
agencies view victims of domestic abuse. The Domestic abuse in Essex
Data produced by Essex Police show that in the
10
Home Office rolling year to March 2012, there were 29,000
11
Victim Support analysis based on Home Office: Research, domestic abuse incidents, of which 2,704 were
Development and Statistics Directorate and BMRB, Social
Research, British Crime Survey; 2010-11, Colchester, Essex:
assessed as high risk.
UK Data Archive [distributor]. Crown copyright material is
reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO What else do we know about victims of domestic
and the Queen's Printer for Scotland. abuse in Essex
12
Victim Support analysis based on Home Office: Research,
Development and Statistics Directorate and BMRB, Social
13
Research, British Crime Survey; 2010-11, Colchester, Essex: CAADA, 2010
14
UK Data Archive [distributor]. Crown copyright material is Safety in Numbers – A Multi-site Evaluation of
reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO Independent Violence advisor Services, CAADA 2009
and the Queen's Printer for Scotland.
15

17. is to investigate and to offer immediate and long-
Essex has a multi-agency Domestic Abuse term support to those most at risk.
Strategy Group. This is responsible for
coordinating and implementing domestic abuse Support for victim of domestic abuse in Essex
strategies across the county, including Southend
and Thurrock. Stakeholders expressed concern that funding cuts
were further impacting on already stretched
There are also several domestic abuse services in resources and capacity to support victims. One
Essex. These include Independent Domestic service was reviewing the future of its outreach
Violence Advisors (IDVAs) who are managed by service, for example. Other services have had to
Victim Support. Other service providers, exclude victims from outside their local authority
including women’s refuge organisations, provide area. There are currently womens’ refuges in
emotional and practical support to domestic Basildon, Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester,
abuse victims. Harlow, Southend and Thurrock.
IDVAs provide proactive independent support to A full outreach support service is available for
victims. Their referrals are received from Essex male victims in Southend. In addition, Southend
Police. IDVAs conduct risk assessments, carry out also has another service which supports male
safety planning, and facilitate effective victims of domestic abuse, but this service has
partnership working with multi-agencies capacity to take referrals from across Essex.
throughout the victim's engagement with the
criminal justice process. IDVAs also provide Further concerns were raised by stakeholders
advice, information and support to victims of that domestic abuse forums (cross sector
domestic violence. partnerships to ensure support) do not provide
Essex-wide coverage. These forums are currently
There are 6 Multi-Agency Risk Assessment only available in Southend, Castlepoint and
Conferences (MARACs) in Essex. These meet Rochford, Chelmsford and in Colchester. Other
twice a month because of the high volume of forums have either folded or have been
cases. This high volume impacts on all agencies, incorporated into other forums.
but impacts upon the IDVA service. Due to
capacity constraints the IDVA service is unable to Other support issues raised by stakeholders
fully meet the service demands of all cases at included the lack of locally available
MARACs . At present, Essex IDVAs are only able accommodation for victims who need to move
to support about 600 of the over 2000 high risk on from a refuge, and the lack of provision for
victim cases presented to Essex MARACs each women with no recourse to public funds, such as
year. Zimbabwean women.
IDVAs attend every MARAC and aim to provide One stakeholder highlighted that there needs to
safety advice and expertise for all cases discussed. be more support available for women from
A recent Department of Health report has Eastern Europe or for British women with East
highlighted lack of IDVA capacity as a major European partners. Many of these women
issue. reportedly experience high levels of domestic
abuse.
Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse
(CAADA) estimates that Essex should have Feedback from victims of domestic abuse in
between 18 and 20 IDVAs in order to meet the Essex
current service demands of high risk cases heard
at MARACs. Essex has 5.5 full-time equivalent Many victims we spoke to reported that the
IDVAs and a part-time team leader who is police had responded quickly and dealt with the
employed by Victim Support. Essex Police has a situation quickly. One victim, however, said that
team of around 40 specially trained officers the police only made an arrest, and acted quickly,
called Domestic Abuse Liaison Officers. Their role after she had called them for the third time.
Another victim said that the police control room
16

18. kept talking to her son about what to do and emotional support and practical help. IDVAs also
continued to talk to him until the police arrived. plan the immediate and long-term safety of
Victims we spoke with had received good victims, and signpost to other agencies. .
support from voluntary organisations. All victims
said that the support of voluntary organisations Automatic referrals are made by IDVAs to the
was important immediately after the crime and in Health Visiting Service if a domestic abuse victim
the long-term. They felt that the police should be has children under five years old, and are made
better at communicating case progress. to Children, Schools and Families (CSF) if the
victim has children under the age of 18. Local
knowledge and contacts are essential for an IDVA
in order to refer victims to area specific
organisations. Victims of domestic abuse are
referred to a MARAC if they have been identified
Case study as being at high or very high risk of serious injury
or death. Many of the actions from MARACs are
A female victim of domestic abuse had a mixed for the IDVA, and the IDVA attends MARAC
experienced with the police. Her partner was not meetings to act as the ‘voice of the victim’.
arrested until after the third incident.
Conclusions
The victim said that she received emotional and
practical support from Victim Support, who Communication with victims about their cases by
helped her get a restraining order. She felt she all agencies should be improved to keep them
had been well supported by an Independent fully informed of case progression. Demand of
Domestic Violence Adviser: services in response to domestic abuse incidents
in Essex is extremely high. This demand is not
"She was my light at the end of the tunnel". fully met by existing services. A recently
produced CAADA report recommends that Essex
She also had support from a domestic abuse needs over 18 IDVAs if it is to cover high risk
project. This support made her realise that cases at MARACs alone 15 . Funding for an
domestic abuse was not her fault: increased number of IDVAs needs to be
strategically reviewed and resolved as a matter of
“(It was) nice to have someone I could talk to, urgency.
without being judged. I never felt like I was being
judged. She cared, she listened and she There is a large amount of research and literature
supported me.” on the needs of victims of domestic violence, and
this report cannot fully reflect the evidence it
The victim had a positive overall view of her case provides. Further investigation of the issues
and of the support she received from the police highlighted here, and thorough consultation with
and other agencies, as her partner was found both victims and local service providers from all
guilty. Her only criticism was that, because of her sectors, will be essential for providing the police
financial situation, she was unable to get a non- and crime commissioner with a comprehensive
molestation order. picture of the needs of victims of domestic abuse
in Essex.
Case study
The Essex IDVA service provides support to high
and very high risk victims of domestic abuse who 15
CAADA (2010) Saving Lives, Saving Money London:
are fully engaged in the criminal justice process. CAADA
Each IDVA predominately provides face-to-face
17

19. 4.3. Victims of sexual violence response of police officers need to change and
rape needs to be treated more seriously; they
What is sexual violence? wanted a greater investment in ensuring that the
police provide a believing, sensitive and
In this report, ‘sexual violence’ refers to the full consistent response.” 18
range of sexual offences recorded by the Home
Office. 16 Since this review was undertaken, the number of
rape crisis centres and sexual assault referral
Sexual violence can affect people of all ages, centres in England and Wales has increased. The
genders, sexual preferences and cultures. Essex Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)
opened in 2011.
The British Crime Survey 2010/11 includes a self-
completion module on intimate violence. This Police and criminal justice responses to victims of
covers emotional, financial and physical abuse by serious sexual violence have increased
partners or family members, as well as sexual considerably.
assaults and stalking experienced by adults aged
16 to 59. Nationwide, many forces now have specially
trained police officers (STOs) to act as a link
Nineteen per cent of women and two per cent of between the victim and the investigation team,
men reported having experienced sexual assault and to attend court with the victim.
(including attempts) since the age of 16. In
addition, around three per cent of women and Many areas also have independent sexual
one per cent of men had experienced some form violence advisors (ISVAs) who operate in a similar
of sexual assault (including attempts) in the last fashion to independent domestic violence
year. advisors (IDVAs), but their numbers are far fewer.
For a variety of reasons, sexual violence often In addition to these changes, all agencies
goes unreported. recognise that there is still room for
improvement.
The government response to Baroness Stern’s
2010 review of how rape complaints are handled
by public authorities in England and Wales
observed that “despite progress in recent years, it
is estimated that up to nine in ten cases of rape
go unreported and 38 per cent of serious sexual Sexual violence in Essex
assault victims tell no one about their
experience.” 17 The 2010/11 British Crime Survey reported that
there were 1,440 recorded sexual offences in
Research such as the 2009 Rape Experience Essex. This reflects an increase of 14% on the
Review by then Victims’ Champion Sara Payne previous year. 19
highlights the importance to victims of the first
response they receive when they disclose an What else do we know about sexual violence in
offence, whether to the police or anyone else: Essex
“The women I spoke to were clear that if they are Essex’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC),
not treated with dignity when first reporting rape, ’Oakwood Place’ is based in Brentwood. It
it is unlikely they would continue to support a
prosecution. Women felt that the attitudes and 18
Rape: The Victim Experience Review, Sara Payne,
November 2009
19
16
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science- Victim Support analysis based on Home Office: Research,
research-statistics/research-statistics/crime- Development and Statistics Directorate and BMRB, Social
research/counting-rules/count-sexual?view=Binary Research, British Crime Survey; 2010-11, as above.
17
The Government Response to the Stern Review, March
2011
18

20. manages both police and self referrals. The SARC Victim Support also provides a pan-Essex service
includes forensic medical examination facilities to all victims of sexual violence and their families,
and onward referrals to Independent Sexual which is further enhanced by specialist trained
Violence Advisers (ISVAs). volunteers. The Witness Service, which is
managed by Victim Support, provides support
Essex Police has recently established a Public through the courts. Victim Support is the only
Protection Command which focuses on the voluntary agency which supports male victims.
protection of vulnerable adults and children and There is currently no male ISVA, yet available
the policing of dangerous offenders. The data showed that Essex currently has around 100
Command includes a 70-strong team of detective male victims.
officers dedicated to the investigation of serious
sexual crime. The new Sexual Offence Feedback from victims of sexual violence in Essex
Investigation Team, assisted by the multi-agency
SARC, aims to improve the investigation of Victims of sexual violence we spoke with
serious sexual offences and the service that is emphasised the importance of feeling believed
provided to victims, to take effective action when they made an initial report. Without this,
against offenders, and to improve the detection they felt it would have been unlikely they could
rate of serious sexual offences. continue to engage with services. One victim
said that she would have liked someone to help
Support for victims of sexual violence in Essex her report rather than just give her the number
for services who could provide her with
There are services available from a number of independent support
providers:
Victims also felt that it was important to have
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) is their options explained to them carefully. They
part of Rape Crisis and is a confidential support emphasised that victims of domestic abuse
service run by women for women, children and should not be pressurised into making decisions.
young people of both genders under the age of They also said that there needs to be long-term
19 who have suffered any form of sexual support available, to help domestic abuse victims
violence, past or present. They provide formal with ongoing needs.
counselling for rape and sexual assault, including
child sexual abuse. They also offer an advocacy Victims we spoke with had mixed feelings about
service and can accompany women to the police, the police because of the manner in which they
to court, to the GUM clinic, or to other meetings had been dealt with and because of the level of
if they request it. CARA services are limited to understanding shown to them. There was broad
mid and north east areas of Essex. consensus among them that the initial service
from the police was good. However, they all felt
SERICC (South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis let down by a lack of, or poor, communication
Centre) covers the areas of Thurrock, Basildon regarding their case. This led to feelings of
and Brentwood. It provides a service to women frustration and isolation. Victims were also keen
and girls over 13 years old who have been raped, to emphasise how helpful and necessary
have been sexually assaulted, have experienced independent support was. As well as providing
child sexual abuse, have experienced sexual them with emotional support, independent
harassment, or who have experienced any form support services helped them practically, for
of sexual violence or attempted sexual assault. example by helping them to access services such
The service includes advocacy, counselling and as the sexual health clinic and refuge
support. SERICC is funded until March 2013 for accommodation.
one ISVA post covering the areas of Thurrock,
Basildon and Brentwood.
Victim Support is funded until March 2013 to
employ two full time ISVAs. Most Victim Support
referrals are currently received via the SARC.
19

21. Case study them deal with criminal justice agencies.
Communication with victims about their cases
A woman in her 20s was in a violent relationship needs to be improved so that victims are fully
with a drug addict. The police had advised the informed of case progression and fully
woman to leave him but she was too scared understand what will happen and why. It is also
about what he might do if she tried to do so. important that victims of sexual violence who
One day, he raped her. experience domestic abuse are able to access
domestic abuse services.
When she called the police not long afterwards,
they took twenty minutes to arrive. They referred
her to SERRIC, told the perpetrator to leave, and
gave her more advice about leaving:
“It’s not that easy though. I was bad with stress
and I was in debt thanks to him.”
She said it was important to her to have support
groups, to have peer support, to be with people
who would understand her. She said she needed
specialised support to help her understand her
feelings, and to make her realise that her reaction
was normal. She is also aware that specialist
counselling is not always so readily available for
people with historic cases of sexual abuse, and
feels that it should be. She feels that the police
did try to help her but that they could have
provided her with more information and
support.
Case study
Oakwood Place Sexual Assault Referral Centre is
run by G4S and supports all individuals in Essex
who disclose a rape or sexual assault. This
includes male and female children, young people
and adults. It carries out examinations in
forensically clean suites, enabling victims to
choose an examination without police
involvement, and also provides a service for
people who have reported to the police. This
partnership involves health, police, social care
and agencies such as SERICC.
Conclusions
Essex only has three ISVAs, which falls far short of
Department of Health recommendations. They
are currently unable to respond to all SARC cases.
Victims we spoke with emphasised that victims of
sexual violence need someone to talk to, who
can also provide them with options and help
20

22. 4.4. People bereaved by murder and This called for, among other things:
manslaughter
 A dedicated casework service to help [bereaved
What are murder and manslaughter? families] with practical problems and support
families in the early weeks and months following
Murder and manslaughter are defined as: a bereavement. Where aspects of a case include
complex and specialist areas of law, there should
 murder be arrangements in place for families to access
 manslaughter and additional assistance.
 infanticide.  Trauma and bereavement counselling as
necessary.
This report also considers the needs of those  An offer of peer support through a national
bereaved as a result of culpable road traffic network of peer support/self help.
incidents.  Age-appropriate services for children. 22
The local data available on services for those
bereaved by murder and manslaughter, including
services for those bereaved as a result of culpable
road traffic incidents, has been limited because
most services we mapped deliver on a national Murder and manslaughter in Essex
rather than on a local basis.
In 2010/11, there were 13 recorded homicides in
For example, the charity Brake is a national Essex, which amounts to 7.5 offences per million
provider of emotional support, information, help population, compared to 11.5 offences per
and advocacy to people bereaved and seriously million population in England and Wales.
injured in road crashes. This is delivered through
a UK-wide helpline and via partnerships with Support for people bereaved by murder and
police family liaison officers, who distribute manslaughter in Essex
Brake’s support packs for people bereaved in
road crashes, Advice for family and friends In line with national requirements for cases of
following a death on the road 20 . Brake’s packs and homicide, Essex Police provides a Family Liaison
helpline offer emotional comfort, guidance on Officer (FLO) throughout the investigation of the
practical matters, and signpost to further sources death. The FLO provides a point of contact
of support, including locally available help. between the family and the police. The Victim
Support Homicide Service will be notified of the
We have tried to include all services accessible to case within 24 hours and a homicide case worker
victims in Essex, but may have missed some of will be assigned to the family within 72 hours.
them. The case worker’s primary role is to support the
family.
We did not hold focus groups or interviews with
people bereaved by murder and manslaughter. Victim Support’s Homicide Service is a nationally
Instead, the project has referred to the 2011 managed service, comprised of five teams and
report by the former Commissioner for Victims based in five locations around England and
and Witnesses, Louise Casey, on services for Wales. Each team consists of a team leader, five
secondary victims of murder and manslaughter. 21 case workers and a support worker. There is a
National Homicide Manager, completing the
20
team of 36.
These packs are produced by Brake and funded by the
Ministry of Justice for use by families bereaved by road
crashes in England and Wales. Support literature for The police notify the Service of a case within 24
bereaved children, serious injury victims, and those affected hours. A homicide case worker will be assigned
by road death in other parts of the UK is available from
Brake.
21 22
Review into the Needs of Families Bereaved by Homicide, Review into the Needs of Families Bereaved by Homicide,
Louise Casey CB, July 2011 Louise Casey CB, July 2011
21

23. to the family within 72 hours. Their primary role Conclusions
is to support the family. On receiving a referral, a
homicide caseworker carries out a needs Other than Victim Support’s Homicide Service,
assessment and begins to support the bereaved there are very few services supporting those
person and family members in a variety of ways. bereaved by homicide in Essex. Although the
They often initially provide practical support, number of homicides in Essex is low, the impact
such as helping to arrange the funeral, meeting of homicide can affect more than just one or two
with the police, and helping to arrange child care members of the family. Further research into the
and benefits. As the relationship between the demand and capacity of services working in this
bereaved and the caseworker develops, they area is needed, particularly with regard to access
typically provide more emotional support. The to counselling, therapy and support for children
caseworker can also commission a number of and young people.
specialist interventions in response to individual
needs, such as trauma support and support for
bereaved children. The homicide service was the
first service that Victim Support developed and
rolled out as a national rather than regional
service.
The Victim Focus Scheme is offered to all families
post charge of an offender. This gives the family
an opportunity to meet with the Crown
Prosecution Service (CPS) and receive legal
advice in relation to their case. The Tell Us Once
scheme is also operational in Essex. It means that
families are able to notify multiple local and
national agencies of a death just once. The Legal
Advice Line is also currently piloting a scheme to
offer support to those bereaved by homicide so
they can access free legal advice.
There are a limited number of local services
operating in Essex supporting those bereaved by
homicide. Cruse Essex provides counselling for
adults, children and young people. There are
also a number of independent providers of
bereavement counselling and support groups
across Essex who offer support to bereaved
people. However, these are not specifically for
people affected by murder and manslaughter.
Stakeholders have also told us that access to
mental health services and trauma based
therapies can be difficult. The Road Victims Trust
provides support for individuals and families
affected by fatal road collisions and will support
under 16s as part of a family group.
22

24. 4.5. Victims of hate crime was that the boundaries between antisocial
behaviour and hate crime can be blurred. It is
What is hate crime? important that victims are treated according to
their individual needs, rather than according to a
‘Any criminal offence which is perceived, by the crime category which they appear to fit into.
victim or any other person, to be motivated by a
hostility or prejudice based on a personal It is hoped that some of these issues will be
characteristic.’ 23 addressed by the Home Office hate crime action
plan, ‘Challenge it, Report it, Stop it’ published in
In 2007, the police, Crown Prosecution Service March 2012. This outlines the new national
(CPS), Prison Service (now the National Offender strategy for tackling hate crime by through
Management Service) and other agencies that focussing on prevention, early intervention and
make up the criminal justice system agreed a improving the response to victims. Aiming,
common definition of monitored hate crime to among other things, to achieve better multi
cover five ‘strands,’ in particular – disability, agency working to identify and support victims,
gender-identity, race, religion/faith and sexual and to reduce the grey area between ASB and
orientation. Primarily, this was to ensure a hate crime, the strategy includes the following
consistent working definition to allow accurate actions:
recording and monitoring. 24
 working with police forces, councils and
Hate crime can have a huge impact on victims – housing providers to improve handling of
not only because of how the incident itself has public calls about anti-social behaviour, to
affected the person, but also because bringing identify possible hate crime and victims at
the offenders to justice can involve the victim risk
having to reveal very personal and private  publishing risk assessment tools that allow
aspects of their life. police and other call handlers to identify
victims of hate crime earlier in the reporting
”They were calling me the usual names like process
’speccy‘ and I tried to ignore it because it’s not
worth it. But when they threw the brick – that’s  engaging with communities at risk of hate
too far.” 25 crime to raise awareness of the law on hate
crime, and increase reporting
Hate crime does not only affect the targeted  putting Safeguarding Adults Boards on a
individual. It affects victims’ families and the statutory footing, to increase the awareness,
wider community, and can lead to further detection and prevention of abuse and
violence and aggressive behaviour. exploitation of adults in vulnerable
circumstances.
Hate crime was included in the victims’ services
advocates project’s work when our initial In 2010, 47, 229 hate crimes were recorded by
mapping of local services showed that providers police forces in England and Wales. Of these:
across England and Wales were concerned that
victims of this crime were still under-recognised  38,670 were racist crimes;
and under-supported.  4,736 were based on sexual orientation;
A particular issue that emerged from our focus  1,959 were religious hate crimes;
groups and interviews across England and Wales  1,512 targeted disabled people; and
 352 targeted transgender people26
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Challenge it, Report it, Stop it: The Government’s Plan to
Tackle Hate Crime. HM Government, March 2012 Hate crime is believed to be under-reported 27 .
24
Challenge it, Report it, Stop it: The Government’s Plan to
Tackle Hate Crime. HM Government, March 2012
25
Quote from victim (Equality and Human Rights
26
Commission report, ‘Promoting the safety and security of ACPO (2011) Recorded Hate Crime Data for 2010 for
disabled people’, 2009). England, Wales and Northern Ireland: http://www.report-
it.org.uk/files/acpo_hate_crime_data_for_2010.pdf
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