Victims Rights
The Police and Crime Commissioner has a duty to engage with victims of crime as well as commissioning victim services.
The current Police and Crime Commissioner, Jeff Cuthbert, has demonstrated a personal commitment to victims of crime by making victim support one of the priorities of his Police and Crime Plan
By continuing to listen and learn from the experience of victims to find out what they need and expect from the services we deliver, we will ensure that victim's needs remain a key priority, whilst helping transform the experience of those affected by crime and boost their confidence in the criminal justice system.
Following a recommendation from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Gwent Police now employs a Survivor Engagement Coordinator. Based within Connect Gwent, the post is the first of its kind in Wales and is helping to ensure that a victim-centred approach is at the heart of Gwent Police’s response to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
Gwent Police’s response to victims is scrutinised at the internal Victims Board, which is attended by the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure a continued focus on making improvements to the service provided.
The Commissioner works with a range of statutory and third sector partners across the criminal justice system that provide support to victims of crime. Close working with criminal justice partners enables the Commissioner to better understand matters such as compliance with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime when providing services to victims.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner will also work with the Ministry of Justice and other national partners to address and progress victim issues as required. This allows us to represent the voices of victims in Gwent in the context of UK-wide matters.
The Police and Crime Commissioner receives funding from the Ministry of Justice to support the commissioning of victim’s services in Gwent. A range of victim services are commissioned locally, with the majority co-located within Connect Gwent.
- Victim Support
- Age Cymru
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Mental Health Practitioner
- Umbrella Gwent
- Children and Young People’s Service for victims and witnesses (interim)
- Modern Day Slavery Advocate (until June 2020)
- Cyfannol
- New Pathways
- Independent Sexual Violence Advisors
Service provision is reviewed annually; therefore, this list is subject to change as a result of any recommissioning of contracts. The services are commissioned to provide services to all victims of crime whether or not they have reported to the police.
Community Trigger
The community trigger was introduced in October 2014 to give victims of persistent anti-social behaviour the right to request a review of their complaints, and brings agencies together to take a joined up, problem-solving approach to find a solution.