Victim Support held its Annual General Meeting recently. The charity’s manager, Paula Gelling, reported that a number of changes had taken place in the last year and each day was interesting and challenging. No two days were ever the same. The number of new referrals to Victim Support rose during the year by 16% to 185. Victim Support contacts all clients within two working days of referral. In addition to the rise in referrals, the number of contacts with new referrals, and existing ones, rose by 26% to 1700, compared with 1321 the previous year. Often the charity will have quite a number of contacts with the same client which can be a phone call, letter or face-to-face meeting. The number of cases the charity saw involving physical violence remained static. However, the number of cases involving sexual assault almost doubled on the previous year (92%) and was three times the total seen in 2006-07. The charity receives all types of referrals from a number of sources, including the Police, GPs and members of the public. Paula said: ‘I must be clear here. I am not saying that sexual crimes are on the increase. That is not the case. The press releases issued by the Police following a successful prosecution detailing when Victim Support has been involved, have encouraged others to come forward, to have faith in the justice system and to report what has happened to them. This will have contributed to the increase. Victim Support’s own press releases, word of mouth about the service, accessibility of service and good practice, I believe, explain the rise of referrals for this type of crime. Currently we have only volunteer and two members of staff who are trained in supporting those affected by sexual violence but more training is planned for March.’ The annual meeting heard that over the last 12 months the Witness Service supported 165 witnesses and their families and friends - a rise of 30 witnesses on the previous year. This particular work is aided by the co-operation of the court staff and referrals from the Police and public. Paula thanked the staff and all the 14 Volunteers and 14 Trustees for all their hard work for the organisation. The Department of Home Affairs, represented at the meeting by Bill Malarkey MHK and the Director of Finance, Paula Primrose, was thanked for its continued support to the organisation. Mr Malarkey said: ‘It seems very much that the charity is a victim of its own success. Crime rates are at their lowest levels for many years and yet the use of the services of Victim Support and the Witness Service has risen, showing that the organisation is providing a much appreciated and much needed service in the community.’ The charity is very grateful to the Department of Home Affairs, plus companies and individuals, who have supported them financially over the past 12 months, with fundraising events and donations. Without them the organisation would not be able to go the extra mile and support those many people who are obviously in need of the services offered – whether it is to help to replace a lock and secure a property, assist in criminal injury compensation claims, or provide tea and coffee for those waiting to give evidence. Mrs Rosemary Penn, Patron of the charity said: ‘Following up on Mr Malarkey’s comments, the increase in the use of the service does not reflect a rise in crime but the good service offered by Victim Support. It also shows that the purpose of the charity is more and more important than it ever was.’ Victim Support can be contacted on 679970 Mon-Fri 8.30 to 4.30pm or on e-mail iomvictimsupport@manx.net. Ends