Disability Hate Crime Conference Report 29th September 2009, Ashford, click the link for a short video report from Kent TV.
"Know your rights, right the wrongs"
Friday, October 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Working in the Witness Service
Working in the Witness Service can sometimes seem a thankless task so it is particularly valued when that work is recognised in this case the quote below is the commendation received by Judge MacDonald Pictured left. Witness Service Volunteers in Maidstone Valerie Scott, David Williamson, Heather Allam and their co-ordinator, Maureen Utting
“The complainant and principal witness was a female young person then aged 17 who had been in care most of her life and was clearly a very troubled and damaged individual
Although the volunteers who work in our Witness Service give their valued services to witnesses of many types and emotional states, it is cases such as this where the allegations are of a sexual nature and the complainant was under age, which on the one hand, particularly require those skills and on the other, are especially taxing of them.
During the course of her testimony, this particular witness offered unusual challenges. She absconded several times, initially for a day. She had to be pursued within and outside the building. She screamed loudly which was disconcerting and disrupted the proceedings in other courts.
Her behaviour showed a disregard for her own personal safety which could well have spilled over into exposing her supporters to risk. She was possibly the most difficult link witness seen here in 18 years.
I am delighted to record, though knowing them, I would have expected no less, that her witness supporters behaved with exemplary commitment and fortitude during this conduct, true to their oaths, safeguarding and supporting her and that they were instrumental in the achievement of justice in this trial. Their performance in the trial was a reflection on the fine leadership they enjoy.
I therefore thank and commend Valerie Scott, David Williamson, Heather Allam and their co-ordinator, Maureen Utting for their services in this trial. I have a letter for each of you to keep as a memento.”
“The complainant and principal witness was a female young person then aged 17 who had been in care most of her life and was clearly a very troubled and damaged individual
Although the volunteers who work in our Witness Service give their valued services to witnesses of many types and emotional states, it is cases such as this where the allegations are of a sexual nature and the complainant was under age, which on the one hand, particularly require those skills and on the other, are especially taxing of them.
During the course of her testimony, this particular witness offered unusual challenges. She absconded several times, initially for a day. She had to be pursued within and outside the building. She screamed loudly which was disconcerting and disrupted the proceedings in other courts.
Her behaviour showed a disregard for her own personal safety which could well have spilled over into exposing her supporters to risk. She was possibly the most difficult link witness seen here in 18 years.
I am delighted to record, though knowing them, I would have expected no less, that her witness supporters behaved with exemplary commitment and fortitude during this conduct, true to their oaths, safeguarding and supporting her and that they were instrumental in the achievement of justice in this trial. Their performance in the trial was a reflection on the fine leadership they enjoy.
I therefore thank and commend Valerie Scott, David Williamson, Heather Allam and their co-ordinator, Maureen Utting for their services in this trial. I have a letter for each of you to keep as a memento.”
Monday, July 27, 2009
Advice for New Volunteers
Advice and Help for Volunteers
Completing the Core Learning Course
Do Offer:
Emotional Support
· Someone to talk to
· Reassurance
· Emotional Support
Practical Help
· Information on the Witness Service
· Help with CICA Application forms
· Contacts to other local organisations
· Information on Police procedures
Do Not Offer
· Counselling
· Legal Advice
· Medical Advice
· Benefits Information
Other Information
· Any liaison with the Police, Crown Prosecution Service and other statutory bodies must be made through your volunteer manager.
· The service we offer is normally short term. Please consult your volunteer manager if you feel contact with a client is becoming on-going.
· Please update the office whenever you have contact with a client. You can do this by telephone, fax or e-mail, using agreed procedures.
· Please claim expenses on a monthly basis using the correct forms and correct procedure.
· Please remember to inform the office when you are going on holiday or will be unavailable for any other reason.
· When phoning a client , please always dial 141 to withhold your number. If a client’s phone does not accept with held calls, please inform the office. Never give your number to a victim or any other details which could identify you.
In case of any problems call your line manager or the Victim Care Unit on
0845 389 9527 (Mon-Fri 8.00am to 8.00 pm)
Completing the Core Learning Course
Do Offer:
Emotional Support
· Someone to talk to
· Reassurance
· Emotional Support
Practical Help
· Information on the Witness Service
· Help with CICA Application forms
· Contacts to other local organisations
· Information on Police procedures
Do Not Offer
· Counselling
· Legal Advice
· Medical Advice
· Benefits Information
Other Information
· Any liaison with the Police, Crown Prosecution Service and other statutory bodies must be made through your volunteer manager.
· The service we offer is normally short term. Please consult your volunteer manager if you feel contact with a client is becoming on-going.
· Please update the office whenever you have contact with a client. You can do this by telephone, fax or e-mail, using agreed procedures.
· Please claim expenses on a monthly basis using the correct forms and correct procedure.
· Please remember to inform the office when you are going on holiday or will be unavailable for any other reason.
· When phoning a client , please always dial 141 to withhold your number. If a client’s phone does not accept with held calls, please inform the office. Never give your number to a victim or any other details which could identify you.
In case of any problems call your line manager or the Victim Care Unit on
0845 389 9527 (Mon-Fri 8.00am to 8.00 pm)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Volunteers Week Partner
Volunteers' Week: Volunteers' Week Partner: Victim Support
In Kent Victim Support has participated in a recruitment event in Tunbridge Wells, a photo exhibition on volunteering and organised volunteers taster sessions in Ashford. We are working with Kent County Council and Kent Union.
In Kent Victim Support has participated in a recruitment event in Tunbridge Wells, a photo exhibition on volunteering and organised volunteers taster sessions in Ashford. We are working with Kent County Council and Kent Union.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Volunteer Week 1st - 7th June 2009
Volunteer Week
1st—7th June 2009
Its is the 25th anniversary of Volunteer week this June and Victim Support in Kent will be joining in as usual. We are launching a new national recruitment pack and we will be holding another of our taster sessions at Norman House in Ashford for potential new volunteers.
Visit the website http://www.volunteersweek.org.uk/
If anyone would like to be involved please get in touch as soon as possible! If you would like to attend the taster session please contact us on 0845 389 9527 to arrange this!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Kent Police Essential to Victim Support
Crime victims details are passed to Victim Support from the Police, with the help and support of the Area Crime management Units. This requires that each victim is asked if they wish to get help and then that the details are passed on.
As is well known Kent Police Officers do a difficult and risky job and in addition face a lot of bureaucracy in their day-to-day work.
Asking each possible client if they would like their details to be passed to Victim Support adds to the daily burden.
However, if this process does not work then thousands of victims are left potentially without the help and support they need.
Kent Police give us their daily support in this and in doing so are making a real difference to the lives of victims and witnesses.
Highly trained volunteers offer those victims three main kinds of support. Emotional support to help deal with the personal effects of crime, information to make better choices and practical help which can range from form filling to lock fitting as well as support in court and preparing to be a witness.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
