North Wales panel marks one year of giving victims a voice

The North Wales Victims’ Panel has marked one year of raising the victim’s voice in policing and criminal justice.

Created by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin 12 months ago, the panel provides an opportunity for victims and survivors to tell the force what can be done better and to hold the PCC, the police and wider agencies to account.

It has met each quarter since launch at Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno Junction and, so far, 18 victims have shared their experiences of policing and the criminal justice system with the aim of improving services for others going through the same process.

It is chaired by the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Wayne Jones, and attended by staff from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), and the charity Victim Support, who deliver the Victim Help Centre (VHC).

The VHC, a service commissioned by the PCC which offers advice and support to victims of crime, is responsible for administering the panel and working with victims to share their experiences and opinions. The Victim Help Centre works with the victims to update them on the progress made.

Throughout its first year, the themes for discussion at the five panel meetings have included violence against women and girls, hate crimes against black and minority ethnic groups, and stalking and harassment.

Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales commented: “When I was elected, I was determined that the voice of the victims of crime should be listened to so that improvements could be made in the system.

“This was the founding principle of the North Wales Victims’ Panel and I am pleased that it is now marking a year since its launch.

“The purpose of the Panel is to ensure the voice of victims influences service provision, allowing victims to speak freely, so that we can understand how to make their experience, and that of other victims, better.”

Over the course of the year the Victims’ Panel has met victims living with sight and hearing impairments and mobility challenges, to understand their experience of victimisation.

Victims can also bring a support worker to the panel meeting if they wish and, naturally, each victim is able to share their experience in Welsh or English according to their language of choice.

In the last 12 months victims have highlighted a lack of timely and consistent communication from police, with officers not getting back to victims when they said they would.

Others noted that officers should better understand the difference between stalking and harassment, along with the inconsistency of not speaking to same officer about a matter in hand.

Yet more said that victims with disabilities need to be communicated with in a way that better meets their needs.

It has also been noted that some officers need to adopt a problem-solving mindset and look at the bigger picture in cases, rather than dealing with incidents in isolation.

Action has been taken to address the issues made, including further training for officers on the difference between stalking and harassment, and the cyber-crime unit contacted one victim directly to discuss how they could keep their grandchild safe online.

As a result of one victim’s bravery in sharing their experiences with the panel, a multi-agency case review of the case took place and agencies made changes to their practices with a view to improving the service offered to victims.

Wayne Jones, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, said: “Public confidence in policing and the criminal justice system is something we can always improve, and a vital part of our role at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales is to scrutinise the work of the Police and give constructive advice where possible.

“This will ensure the best service possible for victims and the wider public.

“As Chair of the panel, I have been humbled by the dignity and frankness of the victims who have come forward to tell their story, and to help create a change for the better for others in the same position.

“I am also grateful to the Victim Help Centre for working with the victims to tell their stories and to our Policy Officer in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Rhian Rees-Roberts for her role in the creation and management of the panel.”

Jess Rees, Area Manager, Victim Support, added: “Sadly, too often victims tell us that they feel disregarded and don’t have a voice in the criminal justice system.

“The North Wales Victims’ Panel gives people who have experienced crime the opportunity to feed back about their experiences and create change. Victims’ voices should be at the heart of the criminal justice system – this panel is one step towards achieving that.”

The North Wales Victim Help Centre gives free, confidential help to people who have been affected by crime in North Wales. You can contact the Victim Help Centre for support on 0300 303 0159 regardless of whether you’ve contacted the police, and no matter how long ago the crime took place.