This is a small contribution to the huge struggle for justice for those affected by violent crime. This is a struggle that in a civilised society should not exist. Within the struggle for rehabilitation and justice, my handbook was one of the first to address broad range of needs. It shows how to use services effectively and aspire to getting beyond staying trapped as forever being labelled as a victim. It places control back into the life of an individual to determine their own destiny as much and far as possible, rather than being a service afterthought.
It is about rejecting the patronising, outdated ways of dealing with those affected to rebuild their lives and rejects the existing standard and manner of crime victim provision. It is about encouraging greater self-determination, a less monolithic, mono-functional and cynical crime victim industry – a better, more just society. As a society, we are witnessing the steady diminishing of our welfare state and greater responsibility for care on the individual. My handbook becomes more relevant in this era, as does the issue of criminal injury compensation. The remaining 100 copies were given to victims and survivors of the London Bombing atrocities of 2005 via the Task Force Headquarters.
My handbook deals with a huge unmet need that takes the experience and rights of crime victims seriously. It is about pulling together the aspects of a person’s life that makes this handbook original, popular, and diverse. It discusses the need for new policies, making accessible service delivery proposals for those bold enough to listen and act. It is about what obstacles get in the way of a person getting their lawful right to statutory services, or eligibility to criminal injuries compensation. My handbook is also about the state of Britain today and what as a nation we have become so in a sense to be a citizen and survive violent crime in Britain is in itself political. It connects current political, policy and social issues that affect us all as a society.
My handbook is part common sense, part reference and guide – it signposts people to where they need to go. It is about signposting to all that is best that I came across in my research and professional experience. It has four main areas 1) the impact of crime victim-survivor needs and access to services, 2) the complex legal CICA process and compensation issues, 3) the state of our nation and how we view those affected by violent crime 4) a select directory of expert solicitors, disability, advocacy and other specialist agencies and psychiatrists. It is aimed for both the public and the service provider.
Although obviously connected, my handbook is far less about my experiences as a crime victim contrary to some critics and handbook reviewers. The handbook is informed much more by a professional career spanning local government social care policy, service planning and assessing high risk safeguarding work. Equally, chapters on law, police, trauma, medicine were all seen and commented by experts within diverse fields. It is in keeping with my background in developing statutory and voluntary services for allsorts of groups, in this case, a growing minority of people affected by violent crime. This includes making effective provision for vulnerable people and ensures best use of law and public funds. In this way, it is best seen, where professional skills have been transferred to apply specifically to the unmet needs of crime victims and national policy. The content is not autobiographical rather a reference guide.
It was hoped police forces, health services would buy en masse and distribute on a loan basis to those affected by violent crime like a lending library, and alongside obligatory information. It would be more cost-effective than cyclical poster and media campaigns. Some officers were interested for their own academic use but disinclined for public access to diverse and useful information. Department of Health services seemed disinterested some saying they could not see what relevance such a text would have for them – erh?! The general public appears more receptive!
It is hoped in future editions that our statutory services will be more confident and keen to provide crime victims with access to this handbook, alongside the other range of tools to aid adjusting to violent crime. People need more than a volunteer and a poster! It is about prompting those with a duty, or the means, to promote the greatest rehabilitation for anyone affected by violent crime.
Surviving Violent Crime and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority –
ISBN 0-9543444-0-5
For access now to a copy please contact your local or academic library. If you wish to secure a copy of the forthcoming edition, pre-orders can be made via my contact address at officium@talktalk.net or write to:-
Simon Duckett
PO Box 39627
London W2 6YH
England |
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