Homicide Victim Support Manaaki Tāngata. Victim Voices. Exploring and meeting the needs of families affected by homicide

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1 Victim Support Manaaki Tāngata Victim Voices Exploring and meeting the needs of families affected by homicide

2 Victim Support 24/7 Service Focus on serious crime or sudden death Specialised and Post Vention Suicide service MOU with Police Provides Court support Financial assistance to victims Supports 35,000 people annually

3 Mātāpono Our Values Manaakitanga Whakawhanaungatanga Wairuatanga Auahatanga Kaitiakitanga

4 Te taha hinengaro: Psychological Te taha wairua: Spiritual Te taha tinana: Physical Te taha whanau: Family Te Whare Tapa Whā Model The four walls/foundations

5 Victims affects any person from any socio economic group Males most likely to be victims especially those between 20 to 39 years old Maori make up 15% of the population, but represent 31% of all homicides Family violence deaths approx. 48% are family or known to the family Child victims - Each year on average 9 children are killed

6 Service Pathway Police referral via Victim Support (VS) Contact Service Volunteer Support worker responds to request and provides crisis support Basic needs are met first Continuation of support through Criminal Justice process Advocacy

7 Snapshot of activity Financial Year End 2016 Financial Year End 2017 victims supported Number of Support hours Number of new Incidents Total incident number

8 Evaluating the service In depth reviews and interviews with affected families Quality Check Advisory Group Annual Survey Research Training Qualitative evaluation

9 Background 2010 Gaps identified through VS review 2012 Proposal for paid case workers was submitted 2013 Min of Justice approves funding 2014 Pilot Family Support Workers employed and service started 2015 Evaluation completed FTE Permanently appointed

10 Pilot Evaluation process Interviews with 30 service users across New Zealand where Family Support Workers are employed Interviews held with 42 stakeholders Review of Victim Support Documentation Audit and case review of Victim Support database

11 Findings Consistency of service from a single point of contact end to end service Specialised service-no other agency does this Independent service Exceptional qualities of the Family Support Workers Improvement in Victim Support s service to homicide victims families and other stakeholders

12 Positive impacts/outcomes Families treated with respect and dignity Families confident in understanding Criminal Justice process Families empowered to participate in Criminal Justice process Families strengthened in their journey to recovery Benefits for Police, Court Victim Advisors, Prosecutors

13 Service quality Consistent, accessible support Trusting, respectful relationships with Police, Court and other stakeholders Professional service, responsive- being based at Police stations beneficial Māori findings Appreciated emotional and practical support Cultural needs were met Pasifika findings Service was appropriate, tailored, practical, useful and didn t require specific cultural support

14 Service strengths Consistency of service from a single point of contact Specialised, dedicated service Independent service Exceptional qualities of the FSWs Improvement in Victim Support s overall service delivery to homicide victims

15 Evaluators overall assessment The service fully met family members needs and aligned with expected best practice Positive impacts/outcomes Families treated with respect and dignity Families confident in understanding Criminal Justice process Families empowered to participate in C.J. process Families strengthened in their journey to recovery Benefits for Police, Court Victim Advisors, Prosecutors

16 Victim Voices She rung up, introduced herself, said that she was from Victim Support, asked if she could come out and have a conversation. It was great support because the family were distraught.

17 Victim Voices She was my lifeline, I could turn to her if I needed to

18 Where to from here