A vital support service for victims of crime has been plunged into crisis because its funding has been suspended.

Bradford Victim Support has lost £87,000 of Home Office cash amid allegations of poor management.

Victim Support's National Office took the decision to suspend the grant from January 1 after Bradford trustees failed to meet Code of Practice standards.

The management committee has lodged an immediate appeal, and the final fate of the scheme will be decided at a hearing in London on January 25.

If the appeal is rejected the charity's main Bradford office and telephone helpline will close and its Crown Court Witness Service will be put in jeopardy.

The hundreds of victims helped by volunteers every year are being temporarily referred to Bradford's sister scheme - 10 miles away in Keighley.

The news is another body blow for voluntary organisations in the city. Last month funding for Bradford Racial Equality Council was withdrawn over concerns about its management structure.

Bradford Victim Support was formed in 1983 and is run by a 10-strong management committee, two salaried co-ordinators and a team of 18 volunteers.

It is believed the problems stem from a lack of commitment among trustees to report on the scheme's progress.

The National Office sent a four-page dossier to the Bradford management committee listing weak points and a time limit to put things right.

There has been no suggestion of financial irregularities.

One volunteer visitor, who did not want to be named, said: "National Office has agreed that the grassroots service offered to victims by volunteers is first class - the problem lies with management.

"The first we heard about it was on Christmas Eve. Volunteers are still working on cases referred before December 31, but they will only last for a couple of weeks.

"After that victims of crime in Bradford will have to travel 10 miles to Keighley. A city the size of Bradford needs this vital service. If there is a problem with management why don't they just replace the trustees?"

Chairman of the Management Committee, Reg La Pla, and treasurer Jeff Frankel, told the Telegraph & Argus they were unable to comment on the situation until after the appeal.

Other members of the committee include vice-chairman David Palethorpe who represents Bradford Housing, Inspector Dave Holdsworth of Eccleshill Police, Lorna Cameron, of Bradford Probation Service, Phillip France, of Bradford Association for the Elderly, three Victim Support workers and Bradford businessman John Pennington.

Mr Pennington, who has served on the committee for two years, said: "It is all right for the powers that be to bang on the table and say 'this is wrong and that is wrong'.

"But things aren't that simple - most of the people involved at all levels of the Victim Support service are volunteers from the local community."

A spokeswoman for the Victim Support National Office said all its schemes were issued with a Code of Practice to ensure the same high standards were met across the country.

She said: "If there are questions raised about the attainment of those standards the scheme is informed. That is what has happened in the case of the Bradford scheme.

"It is about management standards rather than service provision. The actions of volunteers have not been called into question."

The National Office has awarded Keighley & District Victim Support a temporary grant so it can deal with Bradford's referrals until the situation is resolved.

Pat White, chairman of Keighley & District Victim Support, said: "Our sister scheme in Bradford is undergoing a difficult time. We have been asked to fill the breach on a temporary basis.

"I am confident that with the usual commitment of our volunteer workforce we will be able to offer a service to victims across the area and also within the courts."

The £87,000 grant to Bradford Victim Support includes an award of about £21,000 to Bradford Crown Court Witness Service.

Easing the pain of crime

It has often been said that our justice system largely ignores the victims of crime and only bothers with its perpetrators. One group challenging and changing this notion is Victim Support. As Bradford's own branch faces the crisis through the removal of its funding, Drew Kendell examines the vital work it carries out in the city

The loss of Bradford's Victim Support group would deal a crushing below to some of the city's most vulnerable people.

Every year hundreds of people suffering from the effects of crime would have to face that trauma alone.

Over the past two decades thousands have found solace and support from volunteers offering counselling and practical advice.

To many, the whole experience of crime is an alien and frightening one: the initial shock of the crime; dealing with the police, courts and compensation systems; learning to live with the aftermath.

Launched in 1983 as part of a national network, the Bradford's Victim Support scheme began offering free, confidential support and advice following crimes from burglary and assault to rape and murder.

People react to crime in many ways. Although most victims don't suffer long-term harm, both adults and children can be seriously affected and often need help in order to recover.

As well as offering reassurance and emotional support, Victim Support's trained volunteers provide everything from information on police and court procedures (volunteers can attend each with victims) to practical help repairing burglary damage.

At what is often the darkest time of someone's life, matters such as compensation and insurance can be completely foreign - this is where Victim Support can help or call in the relevant organisation.

Although Victim Support is a voluntary agency, it receives funding from both the Home Office and local government. Each of the country's 386 schemes have co-ordinators who supervise a team of volunteers - all trained to national standards and following a rigorous Code of Practice.

Many of Victim Support's cases come straight from the police - the Victims' Charter says details of 'referable crimes' should be passed on confidentially within two days of being reported.

Within two days of being notified, Victim Support aims to contact the victim through a personal visit, a telephone call or a letter.

Victims of serious crimes such as rape, family violence and murder must give their consent for a referral and individual arrangements are made about first contact.

As well as the referral scheme, victims can approach their local scheme directly or via the national Victim Support Line. The scheme normally only sees children under the age of 15 with their parents' or carers' permission.

And Victim Support is becoming an increasingly important and valued institution. In 1996 the Bradford group made a desperate appeal for more funds and volunteers to deal with a 60 per cent rise in the referrals it received (from 9,448 to 15,568). Nationally, there was a five per cent increase in referrals last year.

T&A Opinion

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