I was fortunate to attend the launch of Victim Support’s new headquarters on Thursday. At the event, Manx Radio reported:
Both Victim Support’s Manager, Paula Gelling, and the Patron of Victim Support, Elaine Christian made similar points: compared to the end of last century, Victim Support is now supporting different victims with different crimes. Proportionally, there are more crimes of a sexual or emotional nature, while there are a relatively smaller proportion of violent crimes.
Obviously, the volume of sexual crimes is awful, but fortunately, victims of such crime are no longer forced to hide and suffer in the lonely shadows. We now have trained professionals at organisations like Victim Support who are able to assist victims of such crimes, when in the past, they might have been forced to suffer alone and unassisted.
Victim Support are one of the many great organisations in our community, and these are the sorts of organisations that I spoke about strengthening in my campaign announcement last week.
At the launch, Mrs Christian gave a power speech, concluding with the argument
We must never forget our victims.
This work is essential.
It is not to be put on the back burner.
We have victims in our hearts.
And we need this place for victims to come to, and to pour out their truths
Mrs Elaine Christian, speech to opening of refurbished Victim Support Headquarters, Thursday 3 June
Powerful words indeed.
