§ Lorna FitzsimonsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress made with the National Victim Support help line since it was established; what activities it undertakes apart from referring callers to local victim support groups; and what monitoring he undertakes of its work. [90308]
§ Mr. BoatengVictim Support's telephone Supportline has dealt with more than 10,000 calls since its inception in February 1998. The majority of callers are victims of crime, who are provided with emotional support and practical information and advice according to need. Among other things, callers can be offered details of, or referral to, their local victim support scheme and other sources of help and information as appropriate. Supportline also provides an easily accessible Victim Support number for use by other agencies in contact with victims and witnesses.
Supportline activities are monitored daily, and formal reports detailing the number and nature of calls are collated and evaluated monthly by Victim Support. Summarising reports are made available to the Home Office on a quarterly basis.