Safety Through Strength Annual Report 2024-25 - Page 11

Lancashire Victim Services (LVS)

Over the past year, Victim Support has provided expert, dedicated support to victims of crime throughout Lancashire under the Lancashire Victim Services (LVS) brand.

In the last 12 months, LVS has offered support for all types of crime, including face-to-face services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and young victims under the age of 18.

During this period, LVS received over 52,943 referrals, with more than 7,500 individuals receiving support, many for serious crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence.

The service’s performance is evaluated through quarterly review meetings to ensure victims can access high-quality, expert support tailored to their needs.

Understanding the profound impact of crime on people’s lives, it is crucial to provide specialist support when and where it is needed. Timely and appropriate support is essential to help those affected by crime to cope, recover, and move forward.

LVS in Numbers

Additional domestic abuse support funding

My Office has previously secured a £2,021,726 Ministry of Justice grant to support victims of domestic abuse through Independent Domestic Violence Advocate support and counselling. This funding has been allocated to 16 Lancashire organisations and has supported over 23,000 victims in 2024/25.

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

My officers are continuing to work closely with NHS England and Lancashire Constabulary to ensure Lancashire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre is available to all who need it.

We are working with partners to ensure progress is made to achieve the mandatory forensic accreditation for the centre, including committing capital funding for building work improvements.

I have pledged uplift funding so the SARC can secure the highly skilled forensic staff it needs to be able to support more victims out of hours, without the need to travel to Manchester or Cumbria.

Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice (RJ) gives victims of crime an opportunity to have a voice within the criminal justice system and sees the victim and offender having managed communication with each other.

This process is managed by Lancashire Constabulary’s Restorative Justice Team. The Lancashire RJ team are accredited and are a registered service provider with the Restorative Justice Council, a national, independent membership body for the restorative sector with the mission to promote and advance the use of restorative practice within the criminal justice system.

The team receives referrals from the police, prisons, victim services, the mental health diversion panel and directly from victims themselves.

Over the past year, the Restorative Justice Team managed a total of 350 referrals involving 429 victims. Of those referrals, 69 have since completed the RJ process, while 35 cases are still ongoing. Other outcomes include referrals to different services or cases where victims or offenders have taken the decision not to take part in the process.

93% of participants report that taking part in Restorative Justice has allowed them to move forward while 91% expressed high rates of satisfaction with the process.

Changes to victim services

Over the past year, my Office has conducted a thorough review of support services for all types of crime, which has led to changes in commissioning arrangement and means that support will be delivered by a diverse range of service providers across Lancashire.

Starting in April 2025, the support services available for victims of crime in Lancashire will undergo significant changes.

For the first time, we are introducing specialist, dedicated support for victims of stalking, which will be provided by Paladin. Their team of accredited Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers will offer expert advice, advocacy, and support, ensuring that victims are protected, and their voices are heard.

Victim Support will continue to deliver specialist services for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Their dedicated teams of specially trained professionals will offer nonjudgmental support, prioritising the safety and confidentiality of victims.

Support for young victims of crime will also continue to be provided by Victim Support through Nest Lancashire, ensuring that young people receive the care and assistance they need.

Additionally, a new service called Victim Care Lancashire will be introduced to support victims of any other type of crime. This service, staffed by specially trained Victim Care Advisers within Lancashire Constabulary, will offer free, confidential, and non-judgmental support and practical help. This includes emotional support, addressing victims’ concerns, and directing them to additional resources as needed.