Victim Support's recent AGM also saw the group commemorate ten years of service to the Isle of Man.

Manager Paula Gelling gave thanks to the charity's founders for having the vision to see the need for the service, which still exists today.  

"Comparing 2003 to 2009, the number of people referred to Victim Support remains about the same level" said Paula.

"However, the number of contacts with those clients has seen a rise of 316% and the amount of time spent with them has risen by 1667%."

"In addition, since 2004, the Witness Service has supported over 570 witnesses in 99 trials or hearings.

"The charity doesn’t have a waiting list but we are much busier than we ever have been.  Yet some other agencies, specifically for children, have a four or five month waiting list.

"I am sure most people agree that when someone is seeking emotional support they need it now and that is even more critical when a child is concerned.  We believe that victims and witness of crime have a right to receive consistent high quality services. 

"We treat every victim and witness that we support with professional respect and courtesy. At the very worst time of their lives we aim to give the very best service."

Last week, Sara Payne MBE, mother of the murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne and now 'Victims Champion', published the Redefining Justice report following her investigations over the last few months.

Within the report, there are 12 challenges and 14 recommendations made.  Whilst some refer to the services existing in the UK, the most compelling theme throughout, is the need to treat victims and witnesses as individuals.

Paula went on, "Victim Support Isle of Man already does this, but others in the criminal justice field need to work with us in a more comprehensive way, to provide the very essential end-to-end victim and witness management process that this report recommends.

"All of the work of the charity has been made possible by the support of the charity’s funders, particularly the Department of Home Affairs and others such as  the local Rotary clubs particularly Douglas and Onchan,  OSA Recruitment, Barclays Wealth, the Peel Charity shop and Bradford and Bingley.

"The charity would like to thank them for that necessary backing."

Chairman and Treasurer of the charity David Craine said, "I would like to thank the volunteers, staff and the committee for their hard work, and the Department of Home Affairs for the support they give to the charity. 

"I have to emphasise the need to do much more fundraising in the future in order that this vital service can continue to be provided."

Patron for the charity Mrs Rosemary Penn MBE said, "Only after I heard victims and witnesses share their experience did I realise the need for a Victim Support on the Isle of Man.

"I was present at some of the meetings that raised the idea of the organisation being formed.  I would like to thank the volunteers without whom the charity would not exist, as well as the hard working staff, the committee and the chairman.

"The future as a small charity, in these tough economic times, will be much harder and there is a greater need than ever for donations and fundraising."

Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw MHK added, "It is recognised that Victim Support offer excellent support and they have seen a significant increase in the service their volunteers are providing.

"I would urge anyone who has a couple of mornings spare who is interested in undertaking satisfying and rewarding tasks  to help victims or witnesses, or even to assist with fundraising, to contact Victim Support Isle of Man. The work they do helps people who have been the victims of crime."

Paula concluded, "Without the funding for the charity, without volunteers and without treating victims and witnesses as individuals, with individual needs, there is a risk: a risk of harm to victims of crime, who have already suffered.

"If they do not get the support they need, they will be worse off.  We really need to the Island’s community to all dig deep and raise funds for victims of crime."

Pictured (l-r): Adrian Earnshaw MHK, Rosemary Penn MBE and Victim Support Isle of Man Manager Paula Gelling.