Most victims of gun crime – and other serious crimes - in London are not receiving adequate support to cope with their ordeal, according to research carried out by Victim Support London (VSL).
The London-based charity launches a new campaign on Monday 30 October 2006 to raise awareness of the support available to crime victims in the Capital, following a six month research project in to the experience of gun crime.
A quarter of the victims of gun crime are from London’s African / Caribbean communities. Where homicide is concerned this figure rises to 85 percent of all victims. At the same time it is these communities who are least aware of Victim Support services, do not see its relevance to them and are least likely to request help.
Anne Coughlan, CEO of Victim Support London, said: "Although our research focused on the experience of people affected by gun crime in London, it highlighted the needs of people affected by violent crime in general. Whilst gun crime is still a very small proportion of the overall crime figures, it is obviously very traumatic for the victims and their families and they are often the least supported, particularly in deprived communities.
"This campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the impact of violent crime on the victims and their families and of the long term nature of the support that is required and that we are able to offer. We hope our new poster campaign will encourage more people to seek our support."
The Chair of the charity, Henry Velleman, said: "Thirty percent of the victims of gun crime are aged between 15 and 24 and half are under the age of 30. In many cases these are not individuals who are used to calling for help; however both they and their families deserve our support and understanding. That is what this campaign is intended to do, to break the wall of silence and reach out to the victims of gun crime and other violent crime from all communities."
The case studies identified in the research report demonstrate the substantial impact of gun crime on victims who often feel as though they are ‘staring death in the face’. It also highlights the obvious everyday reminders and impacts on families from bereavement through violent crime.
In London, Victim Support has a team trained to support families who have been bereaved by homicide. Victim Support in London is there for all victims of crime, whether reported to the police or not and it is committed to increasing the number of volunteers able to support victims violent crime. If you are interested in finding out more about Victim Support London or becoming a volunteer please go onto the website www.vslondon.org
Campaign tube poster