Based in London, I have spent 25 years in social and health care public services. This has covered a wide breadth of statutory work: strategic planning, developing policies and procedures, grants, budgets, chairing protection conferences, setting-up or managing specialist social work assessment teams. I have successfully been involved in setting-up charities and community projects for the mentally ill, ethnic minorities and people affected with HIV.

Recently, as a direct result of my publication I have worked at the invitation with the Japanese government looking at the strategic unmet needs of Japanese crime victims; used as a freelance trainer by CENTREX to train senior national police family liaison co-ordinators in strategic multi-agency responses to crime victims and junior police officers in psychological and social care needs; assisted the national Quakers develop a strategic plan for responding to crime victims with innovative residential care programmes. Two hundred copies were used by the victims and survivors of the London Terrorist Bombings via the Metropolitan Police.

Many years ago, I narrowly survived an arson attack where many people were murdered. My injuries were life-threatening and spent a long time hospitalised and years in rehabilitation. It astounded me how deplorable State provision for crime victims was and the experience of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority showed a callous cynical agency. As a result, I wrote this handbook so people would not have to be isolated and denied access to good quality appropriate services. Sadly, in reality, little has improved for crime victims in Britain within a diminishing welfare state. The handbook sells because it is based in common justice and common sense. To survive is to be political. It helps people reclaim control and makes connections about what has happened and how to progress a life.

My time is divided between writing projects and travelling, local government work and working with police. My work is freelance and welcome enquiries about work, or purchasing my handbook, from UK police and internationally, governments, voluntary groups and the media. Please contact me via inform@officium.org.uk or

TS Duckett
PO BOX 39627 
LONDON W2 6YH