Jack Straw pledges help for murder victims' families

September 29, 2009

JACK Straw has pledged to set up a national service to support families of murder and manslaughter victims.

The justice secretary said the new National Victims Service would eventually be rolled out to all those affected by crime.

It will offer one-to-one help, with staff conducting personalised 'needs assessments' and providing emotional, practical and financial support.

The NVS, which will start this financial year, will help victims' relatives get access to legal services and will liaise with the police and prosecutors on their behalf.

The scheme will cost 2m this year and 8.5m next. It will be provided by the national organisation, Victim Support.

Mr Straw said: We will start with those bereaved victims whose lives have been torn apart by the murder or manslaughter of a loved one.

Over time the service will be available to everyone who has been a victim of crime.

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Of Denton, Tameside (29/09/2009 at 13:44)

Shows how bad things have become if we need a National Victims Unit to support all the victims of crime.

Ran Droid, Manchester (29/09/2009 at 13:58)

Yet another taxpayer-funded group designed to distract from Labours manifold failures with law and order.

I note nothing mentioned about preventing murders, like not letting a couple of drugged up lunatics out early to go on to torture and murder a couple of students? Something along those lines? But then, that might require Straw to actually do his job rather than spout a load of hot air.

Mamaduke, Broad Street (29/09/2009 at 14:00)

Sorry for being so cynical but I think that this is more about a general election being on the horizon rather than this inept Government helping victims of crime. Existing agencies have problems liaising with each other as it is so adding another one to the equationwill complicate matters further. And if we believe what we read in the press, a lot of victims of crime do not report the crime and, when they do, some are not even visited or seen by a police office.

remember the summer of 76, manchester (29/09/2009 at 14:09)

well mr straw if your reading this i am still waiting for a reply to 2 letters we sent you of the murder of one of are family members would be nice to actually get a reply to recieving the letters all the help is given to the murderers family are,s has just been left to basically get on and my sister whos son was murdered is gettin by on medication some help our goverment is to us try with kill someone loose your right all of them till u die life should mean life not a crappy 10 + years then out to carry on with your life keep them in jail till they die

Jay B, oldham (29/09/2009 at 14:37)

yawn!! 13 years too late jack!! you're party has continually let the victims down. yet you protect and actually reward the criminals!
you've had your chance. many times over!

you've blown it! see you in the dole queue!

Member of the public, Manchester (29/09/2009 at 14:38)

It might go a long way if sentences were to fit the crime

Mel O'Drama (29/09/2009 at 16:08)

What value do we put on Straw's pledge. Pull the other one you joker.

Is It Me? (29/09/2009 at 18:11)

Why not just stop/reduce murders by bringing back the death penalty. It's cheaper if nothing else than paying out compensation and much more satisfying!

Andanotherthing, Mcr (29/09/2009 at 19:20)

Or you would take this seriously if it happened to you....I hope you never know.

Redberry, Manchester (30/09/2009 at 01:44)

Jack Straw pledges help for murder victims' families .
What an indictment on Jack Straw and this pathetic government that we have to set up a victim support unit. It says to me that manslaughter and murders are to continue but now we will give the victims families help to get over their loss. Jack it is your job along with your expenses grabbing cronies to prevent the crimes happening in the first place. You the police, the law makers and judiciary have let down the families in the past and now there is an election on the horizon you try to give the impression that you care.

markyboy, manchester (02/10/2009 at 09:26)

trust jack straw - you must be joking!!!
this slippery character has a rather a dubious past in keeping promises and acting on the truth.
michael shields is a prime example of straw's double dealing, he had all the evidence 15 months ago and the opportunity to releas him last xmas. took dear old man of straw NINE months to act.
what a joker he is on being tough on criminals.
bye bye straw!!

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