Victim Support responds to 'Listening to troubled families' report
Published: 20 July 2012
- Date:
- 20 July 2012
The report describes violence, including rape and sexual abuse as 'endemic'
Problems such as physical and sexual abuse in many families are 'entrenched' and go back generations according to a report by the head of the Government's Troubled Families programme, Louise Casey.
The former Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses presented case studies of 16 families in the 'Listening to troubled families' report.
Violence, including rape and sexual abuse, is described as "endemic", whether in the present or in the parents' own childhoods. This includes violence between adult partners, parent and child, and also between siblings, extended families, neighbours and classmates. In many cases the children went on to commit crimes themselves.
Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Victim Support, said: "We know from the work we do with thousands of victims of physical and sexual abuse that it has a devastating and long lasting impact. Dedicated help can help get victims’ lives back on track and put the traumatic experience behind them.
"It is important for criminal justice agencies to work together to give victims the confidence to report crime to the police and to keep victims and witnesses informed about the progress of the case. This report raises important points about how being a victim of crime can contribute to wider problems – and that is why we must ensure that victims get the help they need."