VICTIMS of sexual assault, domestic violence and race hate crimes are being asked to come forward to make the new elected police chief aware of the services they need.
Victim Support will be running focus groups and interviews with victims and witnesses of crime in West Yorkshire over the next month as part of a national project to produce a picture of services offered.
Local victims’ services advocates employed by the charity will report on their findings.
These will be used to raise awareness of important issues affecting victims and witnesses and to make sure that each new police and crime commissioner has victim and witness issues on their agenda when they are elected in November 2012.
Victims’ Services advocate Martin Laux said: “We want to find out how people have been treated as a victim or witness by the police and criminal justice system and if they have found suitable services to support them through a difficult time.”
Victims must have experienced the crime within the last two years and not currently be involved in criminal justice proceedings or a court case relating to the crime.
Yorkshire Victim Support will be holding focus groups this month and early March.
If you are interested in taking part or arranging an interview please contact: Martin Laux on martin.laux@victimsupport.org.uk or 07908 958506 or visit www.victimsupport.org.uk
