New helpline for families of murder and manslaughter victims

26 Oct 2009 03:54 PM

Families bereaved by murder and manslaughter are to benefit from free legal advice and extra practical support via a new dedicated victims’ helpline, launched by the Ministry of Justice today.

The free telephone helpline is to be staffed by legal advisers who will provide legal advice to victims on everything from guardianship issues and settling an estate to accessing benefits.

The launch of the helpline follows the government’s recent announcement of a new National Victims’ Service – which is initially being rolled out to families of murder and manslaughter victims, offering one-to-one tailored support to help them cope with the trauma of losing a loved one to crime.

The new over-the-phone legal advice initiative strengthens and complements the existing range of practical and emotional support offered to families and friends of murder and manslaughter victims offered by Support After Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM) National, a government-sponsored charity.

SAMM has made a new commitment to young people with new initiatives in the pipeline to support children and siblings who have been bereaved through homicide. The charity will also be working closely with schools on crime prevention to bring home the dangers of gun and knife crime.

Justice Minister Claire Ward said:

‘Losing a loved one to murder or manslaughter is an extremely traumatic experience. We have listened to the concerns of bereaved families, who tell us that during such a distressing time accessing essential information can be a tough task.

‘By providing free legal advice when people need it most we hope we can help ease some of the burden experienced by families at what must be such a terrible time.’

Rose Dixon, chief executive of SAMM National said:

‘Over the years many people contacted us and asked for legal advice but we are not qualified to give them that help. We can now tell them about the government’s new legal helpline, which will be a great support for people with issues around probate and guardianship of surviving children.

‘One of our strengths is the fact that everyone within SAMM has been bereaved in this horribly traumatic way. So one of our volunteers can sit with a bereaved person and honestly say, “I have been there and I understand your pain”. For many newly bereaved people, as well as having the support of professionals, this is what they want to hear – someone who truly understands the trauma and pain they are experiencing because they have experienced it themselves.’

The government’s new helpline will be staffed by legal advisers who are specially trained to deal with bereaved families. They will not provide advice on the criminal investigation. Those in need of the new service will be directed to the helpline by police family liaison officers working with the families of murder and manslaughter victims.

There are around 800 murders each year in England and Wales, creating in the region of up to 3,000 people who have lost a loved one to murder and manslaughter each year.

Notes to editors

1. For more information please contact the Ministry of Justice press office on 020 3334 3540.
2. Case studies who have been bereaved by murder and manslaughter are available for interview. For more information please contact the Ministry of Justice press office.
3. SAMM has been operating for 25 years and has helped more than 3,000 people. Most of its referrals come through the Police Family Liaison Officers or people can self-refer.
4. The Witness and Victim Experience Study (WAVES) shows that victims’ satisfaction is at an all-time high, with 83% of victims and witnesses satisfied with their contact with the criminal justice system.
5. The launch of the murder and manslaughter helpline and the relaunch of SAMM National will take place on the Terrace of the House of Commons on Monday, October 26, 4pm until 6pm.