A NEW website has been launched designed to give help to victims of domestic abuse across Essex.
The site, called Victims Gateway and launched by Nick Alston, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex yesterday (January 19), aims to give direct access to support, information and advice.
Users will be able to offers access support groups for people who have been subjected to crimes ranging from rape to anti-social behaviour by typing their postcode into the site to find out more about the support available.
Mr Alston said: "The Essex Victims Gateway provides a postcode based service enabling victims to contact support and advice available in their area. It's been designed to enable people to rapidly find the information and expertise they need.
"There is also a 'Leave this site' icon which is essential because there are circumstances where a person accessing the site may want to leave it quickly.
"I hope that victims find this website useful but I also really hope they find the confidence to report crimes to police quickly."
The website offers help to all victims, including those who have not reported a crime to police or where offences have happened in the past.
And the site also offers a "leave this site" tab, which runs through every page and, with the touch of a button, redirects users to Google in case they need to leave the page quickly.
Jan Dalrymple, Chief Executive of the Essex-based domestic abuse charity Safer Places, said: "I'm delighted the website has been pitched at victims whether or not they want to report a potential crime to the police.
"Many victims do not want to report a crime and do not know where to turn, and the Essex Victims Gateway gives access for those hidden victims to receive support from specialist agencies.
"For example, a person whose partner is showing early signs of dementia and is becoming violent, may not want to go straight to the police. Rather they want to have a confidential conversation about the options and support available to them.
"Sometimes, we – the specialist agencies – may support victims to go to the police and report a crime, but sometimes we can support them without needing to involve the criminal justice system.
"Victims frequently say to Safer Places and I'm sure other organisations: 'We didn't know where to go for help!' I'm confident that the Essex Victims Gateway will help address those needs."
The launch took place in the chamber of the Chelmsford City Council offices.
Work to develop the website and its content, in consultation with victims and their representatives, will be ongoing.
To visit the site go to: http://www.essex.pcc.police.uk/supporting-victims/
