The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Simon Foster, has announced an investment of almost £85,000 to support a range of innovative projects designed to empower victims of crime and ensure they can access justice and understand their rights.
A total of £83,271 has been awarded through the Victims’ Code Innovation Fund, supporting community organisations across the West Midlands to raise awareness of the Victims’ Code and help victims obtain access to justice and navigate the criminal justice system with greater confidence.
The funding will support nine organisations delivering targeted programmes over the next 12 months to some of the region’s most vulnerable communities – including young people, victims of sexual violence, families bereaved by homicide, deaf victims, South Asian women and Eastern European communities.
The organisations receiving funding are:
- Kaur Lab UK CIC – community workshops and multilingual campaigns supporting South Asian communities to understand their rights
- Friends of Hereward College – an inclusive victims’ rights programme supporting young adults with learning disabilities
- The Gina Project CIC – creative workshops and outreach supporting young female victims of sexual violence
- Support After Murder and Manslaughter – resources and online support helping families bereaved by homicide navigate the criminal justice system
- RSVP (Rape & Sexual Violence Project) – training victims’ rights champions and peer advocates
- SignHealth – accessible resources and workshops in British Sign Language for deaf victims
- Street Teams – outreach and education supporting young victims of exploitation in Walsall
- Romani Uniti din Anglia – community engagement and support for Romanian and Polish victims
- The Griot-One Group (GOG) – a creative community music programme promoting the awareness of victims’ rights
Protecting victims and ensuring they receive the support they need and are entitled to, is a central pillar of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan 2025–2029, which sets out a commitment to strengthen victims’ rights and improve access to justice across the West Midlands.
Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Supporting victims and standing up for their rights is absolutely fundamental to delivering access to justice. Too often victims feel unheard, unsupported or unsure of what help is available to them.
“This investment will help ensure victims across our region are empowered to better understand their rights under the Victims’ Code and can access justice and the help and support they need, when they need it.”
The funding programme has been developed in partnership with the West Midlands Victims’ Advocate, Natalie Queiroz MBE, whose role is dedicated to amplifying victims’ voices and ensuring services respond to their needs.
Natalie Queiroz MBE, West Midlands Victims’ Advocate, said: “Every victim deserves to feel heard, supported and empowered throughout their journey. Raising awareness of the Victims’ Code is essential so that people know the rights they are entitled to and the help that is available to them as they navigate their journey through the complexities of the criminal justice system.
“These projects will make a real difference by reaching communities who may face additional barriers to support or access to justice. Barriers such as language, disability, age or culture.
“By working with trusted community organisations, we can ensure more victims are informed, supported and able to access justice.”
The announcement comes ahead of the West Midlands Victims’ Summit, which will take place next week (March 26) at The International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham. The summit, hosted by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Victims’ Advocate, will bring together victims, support organisations, criminal justice partners and policymakers to strengthen collaboration and improve services for victims across the region.
Speakers and guests will include Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones MP and Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales Claire Waxman OBE, alongside representatives from a wide range of victim support organisations and criminal justice agencies.
The event will focus on listening to victims’ experiences, identifying opportunities for improvement and ensuring victims remain at the heart of policing and criminal justice across the West Midlands.
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