TIME is running out for victims across Warrington and Cheshire to share their experiences of anti-social behaviour in their communities.
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales Baroness Newlove, who lost her husband Garry whilst living in Warrington, launched a survey to gain insight into victims’ experiences of anti-social behaviour.
This comes as victims’ legislation is currently progressing through Parliament.
The survey focuses on the nature of anti-social behaviour, victims’ experiences of reporting, the support victims receive and victims’ experiences of the Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review process.
Drawing on her personal experiences as a victim of anti-social behaviour, the Victims’ Commissioner believes that people experiencing persistent antisocial behaviour are not getting the support and rights they deserve, including lacking formal recognition and access to victim support services.
The Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, tragically lost her husband Garry Newlove following a long-running campaign of youth violence and anti-social behaviour. Garry Newlove was murdered by a gang of youths outside their home in 2007. She has been a prominent campaigning voice advocating for change ever since and took up a seat in the House of Lords in 2010.
She is now pushing for support for victims in an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill, currently in its final stages in the House of Lords.
The survey will feed into ongoing policy work in this area, including proposed amendments to the upcoming Criminal Justice Bill, which includes a range of provisions for tackling anti-social behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour encompasses acts that are deliberately intended to disrupt the peace and safety of others, often in their own homes or communities. This can range from disorder and nuisance, such as loud music and graffiti, to acts of harassment and intimidation, including verbal abuse and threats.
During her first two terms as Victims’ Commissioner (2013-2019), Baroness Newlove argued that victims were being let down by police, local councils and housing providers, with many victims having to suffer in silence. In 2019 she published her report Living A Nightmare. This set out a number of proposed changes which would give victims a voice and access to sup-port.
The findings of this survey will build on this work and feed into a new report due to be published later this year. This report will be used to inform the Victims’ Commissioner’s ongoing policy work, aiming to give greater recognition to issues raised by victims.
Discussing the survey, the Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, said: “As I know only too well, experiencing persistent anti-social behaviour can be like a living nightmare. The cumulative impact of the behaviour can devastate victims’ lives, affecting their sleep, work, relationships, health, and feelings of safety in their own home.
“As Victims’ Commissioner, one of my priorities is ensuring victims of anti-social behaviour feel heard, respected and supported when they come forward. This is why it’s so important to hear directly from victims, so that their experiences can in-form the legislation and policy changes I put forward and they address the challenges these victims face.”
The survey closes on Wednesday 3 April and is available on the Victims’ Commissioner’s website.
