Princess Anne pays a visit to Wakefield to launch new support system for victims of domestic abuse

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal visited Wakefield to launch an innovative new system for victims of domestic abuse.
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The new LiveLink system, delivered by Victim Support Wakefield, will allow victims of domestic abuse to give early evidence remotely via video streaming.

It is hoped that this will encourage victims to engage with the Criminal Justice System without needing to attend a court building or risk coming into contact with the perpetrator.

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Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal visited Wakefield to launch an innovative new system for victims of domestic abuse. Photo: West Yorkshire PCCHer Royal Highness, The Princess Royal visited Wakefield to launch an innovative new system for victims of domestic abuse. Photo: West Yorkshire PCC
Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal visited Wakefield to launch an innovative new system for victims of domestic abuse. Photo: West Yorkshire PCC

The facility will link into courts across West Yorkshire.

The system was launched on Tuesday, February 25 with the help of Princess Anne, who unveiled a a commemorative plaque before meeting with victims and witnesses of crime, who explained the emotional and practical importance of the LiveLink system.

Lesley McLean, Contracts Manager for Victim Support (West Yorkshire) said: “Court buildings themselves can be intimidating, especially as victims and witnesses enter through the same shared entrance as defendants, offenders and their families. For victims of particularly serious crimes such as domestic abuse, this can be incredibly stressful.

“Many trials collapse before sentencing, as the number of victims attending court to give evidence is low. This LiveLink facility will help to empower victims to give evidence from a completely separate building, helping to relieve anxiety.

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal visited Wakefield to launch an innovative new system for victims of domestic abuse. Photo: West Yorkshire PCCHer Royal Highness, The Princess Royal visited Wakefield to launch an innovative new system for victims of domestic abuse. Photo: West Yorkshire PCC
Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal visited Wakefield to launch an innovative new system for victims of domestic abuse. Photo: West Yorkshire PCC
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“We are delighted to offer this much-needed facility and, in the longer term, we hope to extend this service to other vulnerable adults, children and young people.”

West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, said: “I pledged to put victims first and it was fantastic to welcome Princess Anne to Wakefield, as part of our drive to raise awareness of this new service that I have commissioned here in West Yorkshire.

“The LiveLink will offer vulnerable victims and witnesses of incidents such as domestic abuse a safe, secure and welcoming space to give evidence, removing barriers to justice and improving outcomes for those harmed by crime.

“This service importantly eliminates the possibility of seeing the defendant in a court setting, as well as helping to alleviate other potential issues such as travel and childcare. I look forward to seeing the results and the impact it will have.”

Lesley McLean, Contracts Manager for Victim Support, Princess Anne, Chief Constable John Robins and Mark Burns-Williamson. Photo: West Yorkshire PCCLesley McLean, Contracts Manager for Victim Support, Princess Anne, Chief Constable John Robins and Mark Burns-Williamson. Photo: West Yorkshire PCC
Lesley McLean, Contracts Manager for Victim Support, Princess Anne, Chief Constable John Robins and Mark Burns-Williamson. Photo: West Yorkshire PCC
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West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable, John Robins QPM, said: “This suite, and one like it in Calderdale, make a tangible positive impact on outcomes for victims. It takes away the need for vulnerable and intimidated victims and witnesses to enter a court.

“For example, a third fewer Domestic Abuse cases are failing at trial since the Live link facility was introduced in Calderdale.

“Services like this mean that more victims are engaging with the criminal justice process for longer enabling more cases to reach a conclusion at court, confidence in the criminal justice system is improved and importantly victims feel more supported.

“This puts vulnerable victims and witnesses where they should be, at the heart of the criminal justice process”

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Victim Support is an independent charity providing emotional and practical support to people affected by crime. Victims do not have to report a crime to the police in order to access assistance, and a free, confidential Supportline is open to callers 24/7 on 0808 16 89 111.