The Victims Commissioner has produced their 2023 Victim Survey, which explores more than 3000 victims' experiences with the criminal justice system, from the police to courts and victim services. The results reveal a worryingly high level of victim dissatisfaction and lack of confidence with the justice system from older victim-survivors.

The report reveals that 40% of respondents were dissatisfied with the police response to the crime and only 30% agreed that police investigated their allegations thoroughly. However, 71% responded they would report a crime again. Overall, the report suggests that victims' experiences of police are mixed but could be improved with better communication.

When it comes to the abuse of older people, it’s vital that those experiencing or reporting abuse feel that their case is being investigated thoroughly. Many older victim-survivors find it difficult to speak up and disclose their abuse to the police for fear that they wouldn’t be taken seriously or that police could not help. It’s vital that police are given specialist training to identify abuse, understand how to respond and are able to offer the right support. 

The report also found that:

“Victims services can be invaluable, but more victims need to be referred and timely and tailored support should be available to all victims.”

Hourglass emphatically agrees. It is essential that specialist support for older victim-survivors all have the opportunity to receive tailored support. Hourglass currently has specialist older person Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) in a number of areas, funded by Police and Crime Commissioners, but we believe that these specialist services should be available to access in every area across the UK. 

Furthermore, we still have not yet had confirmation from the Government that funding for these vital services will continue. These are lifesaving services that offer tailored one-to-one support right the way through a victim-survivors journey from experiencing abuse to recovery. Our team is specifically trained in supporting older people, including complex risk management, implementation of tailored support plans and advocating on their behalf. Considerations are made for the unique way that older victim-survivors experience abuse and the challenges they face, whether that be the impact of dementia, factoring in care needs or mobility issues.

If victims' experiences of the criminal justice system are to be improved, it’s important that services like these are funded, supported and widely available. Many respondents from the survey noted that the support they received from victims services as ‘too generic’, highlighting “a need for more specialised victim support services”. Furthermore, when asked if they agreed with the statement that ‘victims are fully supported by victims services’, only 19% of over 65s agreed. This is a troubling finding and highlights a severe lack of focus on older victim-survivors and their unique needs. 

The report also found that only 12% of over 65s reported that they had been referred or self-referred to victims services. In addition to the lack of specialist services for older victim-survivors in all areas, we want to work with general victim services and those in the justice system to identify older victims and refer them to the right support. Hourglass’ 24/7 helpline is an important source for these referrals and we’re looking to build partnerships and relationships to ensure that as many older victim-survivors are being referred as possible.

We’re pleased to see that the Victims Commissioner puts forward in her recommendation that they seek to improve victims’ experiences of support services by: “By ensuring commissioners provide a range of specialist services meeting all victims' needs.” We hope that this indicates a push towards ensuring that commissioners are providing a range of specialist services, including those for older victim-survivors. 

We are equally as pleased to see the report put forward a recommendation to ‘put forward a dedicated older victims of crime strategy’. This section recommends that the Ministry of Justice publish a strategy for improving experiences of the criminal justice system amongst older victims of crime and further recommends that commissioners of victims services provide specialist services tailored for older victims.

These are positive steps and are policies that Hourglass has been pushing for, being a centerpiece of our 2024 Manifesto. We are ready and willing to work with the Ministry of Justice on improving older victims' experiences of the criminal justice system, ensuring specialist support is widely available and that older victims are given parity and representation.

But there is a lot of work to do. Most areas in the UK still do not have specialist older persons IDVAs/ISVAs and there is still no guarantee from the government that existing services are able to continue.  Older victim-survivors deserve to have access to specialist support, wherever they are located. They deserve to have their experiences heard and their needs met, by those who are specifically trained to do so. 

We will be pushing hard to work with decision-makers to make sure these vital services can continue to change lives, but we can’t do it alone. Which is why our OATH campaign is so important.

Taking the OATH is making a statement, that older victim-survivors deserve to have their voices heard by those in power. It’s a recognition of a problem and a pathway to solution, a Safer Ageing Society by 2050. 

TAKE THE OATH HERE

If you've been affected by abuse or are concerned about an older person, contact our 24/7 helpline on 0808 808 8141 for free.