Victim Care Merseyside hub launched by Police Commissioner

A new service designed to provide enhanced care and support for all victims of crime in Merseyside has been launched.

The Victim Care Merseyside hub provides free, confidential, non-judgemental advice and support for all victims of crime, no matter when the incident happened or whether it was reported to the police or not.

Delivered by a local team of 15 specialist Victim Care Advisers and managers, the hub is a single point of contact for victims, offering emotional and practical support tailored to their individual needs.

All victims who report a crime to Merseyside Police will now receive information about the Victim Care Merseyside hub explaining the help and support they can provide, with victims who are identified as being particularly vulnerable being proactively contacted by the team.

Crucially, the hub team also makes it easier and simpler for all victims, including those who don’t wish to speak to the police, to access support through the creation of a new Freephone number – 0808 175 3080 – and an improved online reporting service on the www.victimcaremerseyside.org website.

The new hub is an integral part of Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell’s wider Victim Care Merseyside service. It links in closely with the 10 other independent services she already commissions to provide specialist support services to those affected by the most serious and harmful crimes, including rape and sexual assault, child exploitation and hate crime.

The Victim Care Merseyside service already does a vital job supporting thousands of vulnerable people, but the aim of the new hub is to ensure many more victims receive support and that it is far easier for people to reach out when they are in need.

If you’ve been affected by crime, Victim Care Merseyside is here to provide support. Call Freephone 0808 175 3080 on weekdays between 8am and 6pm or request support online at www.victimcaremerseyside.org at any time.

The 10 other independent support services encompassed within the Victim Care Merseyside service include:

Child exploitation – support for any young person affected by sexual or criminal exploitation.
Catch 22 – 0797 924 1502

Hate crime – if you have been affected by hate you can access support tailored to the type of abuse you have suffered:
Racial or religious hate crime – Anthony Walker Foundation – 0151 237 3974
Disability hate crime – Daisy Inclusive UK – 0151 261 0309
LGBTQ+ hate crime – Citizens Advice Liverpool – 0151 522 1400 ext 5006

If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to the police, you can report a hate crime anonymously and in confidence 24/7 to independent charity Stop Hate UK – 0800 138 1625

Harmful practices – support for victims of culturally specific abuse and harmful practices, including ‘honour’-based abuse, forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
Savera UK – 0800 107 072

Murder or manslaughter – emotional and practical support for any family affected by homicide, including culpable road deaths.
Families Fighting for Justice (FFfJ) – 0151 709 2994

Rape and sexual assault – dedicated aftercare support service for anyone affected by sexual violence at any time in their lives.
RASA Merseyside – 0151 558 1801
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) – 0330 363 0063 / 01744 877987

Restorative Justice – get help to get answers in the wake of a crime through Restorative Justice.
Restorative Solutions – 0737 780 0254

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