A leading charity has issued a stark warning that recent government cuts to victims' services represent a 'false economy' that will ultimately cost taxpayers more money than it saves, pushing vital support to a 'crisis point' across Britain.
The Economic Case for Victim Support
According to a new report from Victim Support, which assists people affected by crime across England and Wales, their services provide an exceptional return on investment. The organisation's analysis suggests that for every £1 invested in its services, up to £10.80 is saved across other public sectors.
These savings are realised through reduced costs to the NHS, by helping victims maintain employment, and by improving overall wellbeing, thereby lessening the long-term economic impact of crime.
Services Stretched to the Brink
The charity warns that fewer victims will receive support this financial year following a series of financial pressures. The core budget for Police and Crime Commissioners, who commission victim services, was cut by 4.2 per cent by the Ministry of Justice last December. Additionally, ring-fenced funding for domestic abuse and sexual violence was frozen.
Katie Kempen, Chief Executive of Victim Support, described the situation as 'ethically wrong and economically reckless'. She stated, 'My staff are stretched, that our services are stretched, that everything is just stretched to the point where we’re really on the brink.'
Ms Kempen explained that the cuts are forcing the charity to implement waiting lists, reduce support time, and prioritise only the most severe cases, meaning they cannot help as many people as they have in the past.
A System Under Immense Pressure
These cuts coincide with a record-high crown court backlog of more than 78,000 cases, with some trials scheduled as far away as 2029. This creates lengthy, painful delays for victims seeking justice.
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones defended the government's position, stating they inherited a criminal justice system under immense pressure and 'a black hole in the nation’s finances'. She emphasised the need to make 'difficult decisions' to deliver justice.
However, the Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Helen Newlove, has repeatedly raised concerns, noting that support can be the difference between a victim staying engaged with or walking away from the justice process entirely.
The consequences are already being felt across the sector. The charity Rape Crisis England and Wales reported that three of its centres have closed in the last year, with two-thirds of remaining centres potentially forced to cut vital services soon due to severe underfunding.
Victim Support is now calling for the cuts to be reversed and for sustainable long-term investment to meet rising demand, arguing that supporting victims is not just a moral imperative, but a sound financial one.
