An Garda Síochána to Put Victims at the Heart of the Garda Service.
- A renewed culture will see a strong victim-orientation across the Garda service
- 28 Victim Service Offices introduced
- Victims to be provided with a consistent, professional service
- Supporting victims of crime is now part of every anti-crime strategy
An Garda Síochána has today launched a major initiative as part of its Policing and Security with TRUST renewal programme to protect and support communities – the introduction of 28 Victim Service Offices.
The 28 Victim Service Offices will ensure victims of crime are kept informed about the progress of their case and the supports available to them.
In addition, supporting all victims of crime is now part of every anti-crime strategy.
For example, under Operation Thor, burglary victims are provided with support and advice to try to avoid re-victimisation, as well as information on how their case is progressing.
Speaking at the launch in Waterford today (December 9, 2015), Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan said:
"An Garda Síochána is a large organisation and changing the direction of any such organisation is difficult and takes time - and that's why this event is so important. Because it marks a massive shift in direction.
An Garda Síochána is on a journey of cultural renewal. A key part of that is making sure victims are at the heart of the Garda service. It is appropriate we are here in Waterford today to officially launch our new approach to victims as this is one of the first locations to champion this change.
"We will have a strong victim-orientation to enhance community safety and this will see preventing crime being our number one priority. By preventing crime from happening we will reduce the number of people who become victims of crime. But if someone does become a victim of crime we will ensure they get the information and support they need, while conducting professional investigations with the aim of bringing the perpetrators before the Courts.
"The Victim Service Offices will provide a responsive, respectful, reassuring and reliable service to victims of crime and trauma.
"In developing the Offices we will have listened to victims and victim support groups. This will continue so we can further improve the service we provide to victims.”
Victim Service Offices
Following pilots in Waterford and Dublin, 28 Victim Service Offices have been established throughout the country. There is now one in every Garda Division.
The Victim Service Offices are the central point of contact for victims of crime and trauma in each Division. They supplement victim support activity already being undertaken by investigating members of An Garda Síochána.
The Offices are staffed by dedicated, specially trained personnel operating to a Standard Operating Procedure. Their role is to keep victims informed of all significant developments associated with their case, as well as provide contact details for relevant support/counselling services.
The Victim Service Offices are open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Victims of crime can choose between receiving contact from the Offices by phone, letter or email.
The Victim Service Office model is based on feedback from victims and victim support organisations given to An Garda Síochána, results from our Public Attitude Survey, and victims’ experiences provided to the Garda Inspectorate.
"We are very often the first people victims make contact with after a crime has been committed against them. This is when they are most vulnerable and need a lot of help and support. But while getting the first contact with a victim right is critical, so is ensuring this attention continues as their case, which is incredibly important and personal to them, moves through the justice system,” said Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan.
"Surveys have shown that many victims feel that they have been treated with compassion and sensitivity by members of An Garda Síochána. However, victims have also said they have not received adequate information about the investigations into their complaints or were not fully informed about the support services available to them from other organisations.
"As such, greater consistency is needed across An Garda Síochána in how we meet the needs of victims so that they are fully supported and assisted at a time of need.
Initial feedback from victims who have used the Offices has been generally positive and the Offices are a practical example of how we will meet our obligations to victims under the EU Directive on Victim Rights.”
The Victim Service Offices staff are responsible for communicating with victims of crime, and prioritising their needs.
In crimes such as burglary, assault or criminal damage, victims of crime receive a follow-up call from the Victim Service Office to ensure they have all the information they require including contact details of the investigating Gardaí. Victims can also raise any issues. They will be provided with crime prevention advice and details for external services available from other State and/or Non-Governmental Agencies.
Victims of domestic violence, sexual crime or other crimes where there is trauma will continue to be given advice and support in person from investigating or specialist Gardaí.
To ensure a quality service is being to victims, An Garda Síochána will continually monitor the satisfaction of victims of crime through its quarterly Public Attitude Survey and engagement with victims and their representative groups.
The Offices compliment the range of measures from An Garda Síochána already in place to support victims of crime such as Victim Charter that sets out our commitments to victims of crime, and specially trained Family Liaison Officers to liaise with victims of crime in serious cases.
Contact details for all Victim Service Offices are available here.
Notes to Editors
- The following incidents will see the Victim Service Offices utilising a personal point of contact– those involving sexual crimes, domestic violence, families of homicide victims, any incident where a Family Liaison Officer is deployed, child welfare cases, abduction, false imprisonment, blackmail/extortion, hijacking, major emergency, person misadventure, or any incident involving death or serious bodily harm.
- In incidents such as the above, the Victim Service Offices will liaise with the District Office to ensure that the appropriate contact is made.
- All incidents involving children under 18 years will see contact being made through the parents or guardians of the child, unless there are good legal or operational reasons for not doing so. The best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration in any actions taken.
