Something must change after my husband was fatally attacked by a gang of yobs in front of his daughters.

Baroness Helen Newlove, the Victims’ Commissioner, is advocating for a change in the law to properly recognize victims of antisocial behavior, which she believes goes beyond mere nuisance. She shares her personal experience of how her husband Garry was murdered after enduring a long period of harassment and violence by a group of youths in Padgate. She emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding from the criminal justice system towards victims, rather than being treated as mere statistics. Her aim is to ensure that victims of antisocial behavior are heard and supported, and she encourages them to share their stories through a new survey.

Baroness Newlove expresses the importance of victims feeling believed, listened to, and supported, regardless of the type of crime. She highlights the lack of progress in implementing recommendations to support victims of antisocial behavior from her previous term as Victims’ Commissioner, and is now focused on scrutinizing the upcoming Victims and Prisoners Bill. She stresses the urgency of recognizing victims of antisocial behavior in the legislation, as many are currently not entitled to access victim support services.

Drawing from various cases of antisocial behavior, including constant fumes from neighbors smoking weed and property damage due to parking disputes, Baroness Newlove criticizes the current approach by the police that often dismisses such incidents as mere neighborly disputes. She believes that victims should not have to endure significant escalation before receiving support and that the focus should be on understanding and empathizing with individuals rather than meeting statistical thresholds. She is determined to strengthen the legislation to improve victim support services for those affected by antisocial behavior.

Baroness Newlove views the new legislation as a unique opportunity to enhance victim support services and ensure justice for all victims. She warns that failing to address the issues faced by victims, especially those of antisocial behavior, will amount to a letdown at the first step of seeking justice. Despite being disappointed by the lack of progress from the government in addressing her demands, she remains determined to fight for the rights of victims and to have their voices heard. The legislation is set to re-enter the House of Lords for the report stage, where she hopes for positive changes to benefit victims.

As a personal reminder of the impact of antisocial behavior, the last of Garry’s killers who is still in jail has applied for parole, reopening emotional wounds for the family. Baroness Newlove’s dedication to advocating for improved victim support services, her persistence in pushing for legislative changes, and her commitment to ensuring justice for victims of crime, especially those affected by antisocial behavior, is evident in her ongoing efforts as the Victims’ Commissioner.