 Click here to open a link to the home office website.
TEN KEY POINTS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS
We are very aware that huge steps forward have been made over the past 12 years and almost all FLO’s that we have met have been brilliant, however, there are still things that need to improve. Not just with FLO's but also with Witness Service, Victim Support, and other agencies and support groups. None of us can know everything but with help and information from victims families we can all improve the way we work and make sure we get things as smooth as possible for those involved. These points have been made after discussion with several families over many months and based on their experiences and also in response to a message left by a police officer on the web-site. We apologise if anyone is offended by the following statements but they are the views of the families and should be taken on board. However, as with every walk of life there are people who do a great job and will always go the extra mile, while others may do more harm than good.
This is what families feel they need most
1.. For support systems to be put in place as soon as possible and for the families to be allowed to make the decision for themselves when contact has been made via the police from other agencies. There have been occasions when we have written to a family with information and because we haven’t heard back from them, we assume they didn’t want or need other support. Sometimes however, we meet some of those families a long time after, sometimes two years later and they say they wish they had been in touch with us sooner. We don’t tell them that we had contacted the police because that would serve no purpose, but they should be given the choice.
2.. A number of people have been disappointed with Witness Service Support Workers in court. They feel as if they are being taken control of and not listened to. Some families are refused permission to allow more family members to be with them in court and while waiting to go in because their name wasn’t on a list. In one instance the father could not attend every day because he was very ill with cancer and has since died. His wife was refused permission for a relative or friend to be with her on the days he was unable to attend because she had her 'allocation'. If there is room they should be allowed to have as much support as possibly.
3.. Continuous updated information – sometimes calls to an FLO were not returned for days or even weeks
4.. The release of personal property is a major issue for many. In one case the victims car and house keys were missing, but were showing as signed for on the police forms. Despite dozens of phone calls and several meetings with the FLO and the chief investigating officer the family were told that they could not be found, and the FLO could not understand why his mother made so much fuss about them. Despite several calls made to both the hospital where he was admitted after being attacked, and at the hospital where he was transferred his property was not found. 2 years later his property was returned (without prior warning) his keys were found inside his shoes in the black bag containing his bloodstained and ripped clothing.
5. Honesty at all times, not to be told what people think they want to hear, but to be told the truth
6.. To be made to feel as is they are involved in making decisions (wherever feasible and possible) for themselves and not being forced into something they either do or do not want to do. It is too late to do it differently when the case is over.
7.. Being given all the facts about every possible thing that could happen. I.e. – Human Tissue Act (1961) states that 2nd and subsequent post mortems may not be carried out without the permission of the family. They are however, not even told that this law exists and if they are informed are then made to feel that if they refuse permission the defendant will not be seen to be having a fair trial. Research in the past five years shows that more than half of 2nd and subsequent post mortems are carried out by the coroner who did the first one because of the shortage of coroners in UK
8.. Being allowed to see the body no matter what the state if they really want to – for everyone concerned to be aware of faiths, customs and religions and that they are taken into consideration - not always the case. The families believed this is a decision for the police when actually it is at the discretion of the coroner
9.. Making sure that FLO’s are aware that a family can make an impact statement, if they haven’t done so in court they blame the FLO’s but some we spoke with did not know themselves. Also that they have the right to meet with the CPS barristers and know their rights in court and just generally be better informed
10.. Families need to feel that their FLO is totally there for them and on their side, not on the side of the defendant.
|
