Guernsey victim support charity calls for compensation scheme in five-year expansion plan
- Guernsey Victim Support and Witness Service publishes five-year plan calling for island's first victim compensation scheme, describing current absence as placing Guernsey among 'only places in the world' without such provision
- Charity reports demand has increased significantly alongside case complexity, with sexual violence services already exceeding current provision despite recent pilot expansion
- Strategic plan identifies five priority areas: victims' code of rights, compensation scheme, sexual abuse services expansion, financial fraud services and specialist support for child victims
- Case studies demonstrate impact including recovery of £176,000 for fraud victims, though victim died from stress-related health decline; sexual abuse survivor praised service as 'lifesaver'
- Implementation depends on securing adequate funding amid ongoing financial pressures, with charity noting 'securing appropriate resources remains an ongoing challenge'
Guernsey's Victim Support and Witness Service has published an ambitious five-year strategic plan calling for the island's first victim compensation scheme and formal victims' code of rights, warning that growing demand and increasingly complex crime patterns require urgent expansion of services.
The independent charity, which supports people affected by crime through criminal and civil proceedings, reports that demand for its services has increased significantly in recent years alongside the complexity of cases.
This growth reflects greater public awareness of victims' rights and deeper understanding of the impact of sexual violence.
Chair Peter Harwood OBE acknowledged the plan represents "an ambitious agenda-one that would be challenging at any time, but particularly so in the context of ongoing financial pressures on government."
The charity receives a portion of its annual income through a States of Guernsey grant, but notes that "as services for victims and witnesses have grown and evolved in line with best practice, the need for sustainable funding has become increasingly important. Securing appropriate resources remains an ongoing challenge."
The strategic plan identifies five priority areas for development. Most significantly, the service is advocating for creation of a compensation scheme, describing the current absence as "a glaring absence of financial support for victims of crime in the Bailiwick of Guernsey - one of the only places in the world without such provision."
The charity states it "would like to work with relevant stakeholders to develop an affordable compensation scheme," positioning this as a priority initiative that would bring Guernsey into line with virtually all other jurisdictions.
The plan also calls for Guernsey to adopt a written victims' code articulating the fundamental rights of victims of crime. The document notes that "most jurisdictions have adopted such a 'bill of rights' for victims" and argues such a code would provide valuable additional support. The absence places Guernsey behind international best practice standards.
In the area of sexual violence, the service has already trained three Independent Sexual Violence Advisors as part of a pilot scheme provided by the Home Department in partnership with the Sexual Assault Referral Centre. However, the plan reveals that "the demand for these services already exceeds current provision," indicating urgent need for expansion.
The charity plans to develop "increased expertise and resources" to address "the growing prevalence and evolving challenges of financial crime." The plan documents a notable rise in financial and cybercrime, where "scams and deception cause significant emotional as well as economic harm."
Currently, the service assists parents and families of child victims and witnesses, but there is "a significant gap in provision for direct support for children affected by crime." The organisation plans to "commit time and resources to extending services to this group accordingly."
The strategic plan highlights several evolving trends in criminal activity affecting the island. Greater public understanding of sexual violence has led to more victims coming forward, necessitating specialist services to provide "professional, trauma-informed assistance." There has been a documented rise in financial and cybercrime, which cause "significant emotional as well as economic harm," with victims requiring "specialist guidance to rebuild confidence and security." Violence against the person is also increasing, with "devastating and long-lasting impact on victims' psychological and physical wellbeing."
Despite these trends, the document notes that "Guernsey remains one of the safest places in the British Isles."
The plan includes detailed case studies demonstrating the service's impact.
In January 2023, a 72-year-old man named George and his friend suffered a violent 40-minute home invasion, described by Judge J R Finch, O.B.E. as "horrendous and disgusting."
The service provided immediate referral the day after the attack, regular emotional support sessions, liaison with police and other agencies, court preparation support, and continued assistance 12 months after the attack. The case highlights that whilst "physical injuries are healing, recovery from the psychological trauma will take longer."
A financial fraud case from October 2022 illustrates the broader impact of crime beyond immediate financial loss. Mr and Mrs H, aged 67 and 59, lost £176,000 in an Advanced Push Payment fraud. The case was not initially registered as a crime locally as it was believed to have occurred outside the UK. The service provided advocacy with the bank and Action Fraud, research into fraud trends, reporting to the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, and assistance with a Financial Ombudsman complaint.
The bank admitted partial responsibility in December 2022, reimbursing £143,500. Following the Channel Islands Financial Ombudsman's ruling in May 2023, the remaining £32,500 was recovered. However, Mr H's health deteriorated severely due to "shame, stress, and declining health," and he passed away in January 2023. The case underscores that financial fraud causes consequences "beyond monetary loss," with the lack of acknowledgement from the bank compounding the family's distress.
A survivor of childhood sexual abuse who received comprehensive support including development of a safety plan, facilitated access to mental health services, regular emotional support, court process explanation and in-court support during testimony stated: "I absolutely couldn't fault any of it. I was finally able to say things I never thought I could out loud, and to feel so heard and listened to was a lifesaver in itself."
The charity currently provides comprehensive support for victims including emotional support and coping strategies, referrals to specialist services including mental health care and counselling, support and advocacy when engaging with professionals and agencies, guidance throughout the court process and continued support afterwards, and emotional support for family members and friends affected by crime.
For witnesses, the service provides pre-trial familiarisation visits to courtrooms, clear explanations of the trial process, courtroom companionship before, during and after giving evidence, assistance with special measures for vulnerable witnesses, private waiting areas within the court building, support for remote testimony via video link, and private meeting spaces for consultations with legal professionals.
Sir Richard McMahon, Bailiff, stated: "The Bailiwick's Victim Support and Witness Service plays a vital role in supporting the administration of justice, enabling those who are victims to access whatever level of support they need and familiarising those who will be witnesses in criminal proceedings coming before our Courts about what to expect."
Damian Kitchen, Chief of Police, emphasised: "It is vital that all agencies involved in delivering justice across the Bailiwick have victims front and centre of their work. The confidence that you will be listened to and supported when you are a victim of crime, no matter how serious, is important in ensuring that people report incidents to the police and offenders can be brought to justice."
Marc Leadbeater, President of Home Affairs, noted: "Victim Support and Witness Service makes an essential contribution to justice in the Bailiwick. By ensuring victims receive the support they need and helping witnesses prepare to give their best evidence, the Service strengthens both confidence in and the effectiveness of our criminal justice system."
The strategy aligns closely with the States of Guernsey's Justice Framework 2022-2029, published in April 2022. The charity supports the framework's vision for "a justice system that builds victim and community confidence." However, the plan notes that "pressures on workload and budget in government have delayed the ongoing implementation of the overall strategy."
The document states that "if given adequate funding VS&WS has the knowledge and expertise to take forward the aspects relating to Victims and Witnesses."
Every victim is offered the opportunity to access services when an offence is reported to police. However, the charity emphasises that support is not limited to those who make a report—victims can also self-refer. The organisation states: "We believe that everyone affected by crime deserves care and understanding, regardless of whether they choose to engage with the criminal justice process."
The charity maintains close working relationships with the courts, police and States of Guernsey. Purpose-designed rooms within the Royal Court building offer safe, private spaces for witnesses. The service maintains "a strong partnership with the Guernsey Police," providing regular feedback from victims and advocating for their rights to ensure they are kept fully informed throughout investigations.
Chair Peter Harwood OBE stated: "Thanks to the continued financial support of the public sector, and with the collaboration of government and our partner agencies, we are well placed to meet these challenges. Together, we will continue to deliver the vital support that victims and witnesses rely upon, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs remain at the heart of justice."
The plan makes clear that "the next five years will not just test our capacity, but also our commitment," concluding with the declaration: "We are ready for this challenge."
Q&A
Q: What are the five priority areas identified in the strategic plan?
A: The five priority areas are: adoption of a victims' code of rights, creation of a compensation scheme for victims of crime, expansion of sexual abuse services, development of financial fraud services, and specialist support for child victims and witnesses.
Q: Does Guernsey currently have a victim compensation scheme?
A: No. The charity describes the absence of a compensation scheme as 'a glaring absence of financial support for victims of crime in the Bailiwick of Guernsey - one of the only places in the world without such provision.'
Q: How can victims access the Victim Support and Witness Service?
A: Every victim is offered the opportunity to access services when an offence is reported to police, but the charity emphasises that support is not limited to those who make a report—victims can also self-refer regardless of whether they choose to engage with the criminal justice process.
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