Bereaved families and survivors of terrorist attacks will now receive continuous support, marking a significant win for victims. Home Office minister Dan Jarvis has declared an end to the convoluted system for accessing assistance with trauma and grief. This move follows complaints from families impacted by incidents such as the attacks on Westminster Bridge, Tunisian holiday resorts, and Manchester Arena.
A new 24/7 Victim and Survivors Support Hub will be launched on Monday, integrating various organizations including the NHS. Cheryl Stollery, who lost her husband in the Tunisia resort attack in 2015, emphasized the challenges of coping with such tragedies and the complexity of post-incident management, particularly for incidents abroad.
Having advocated for centralized support since 2015, Cheryl expressed appreciation for the upcoming service. Travis Frain, a survivor of the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack, stressed the difficulties victims face in accessing support post-terror attacks. He highlighted the necessity for a structured support system to prevent victims from being left to navigate multiple services alone.
The launch precedes the inaugural National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism on 21 August. Victim Support will collaborate with the Peace Collective and West London NHS Trust to pool expertise. Mr. Jarvis emphasized the importance of the new Support Hub, which aims to simplify and streamline support services for victims and survivors.
The Support Hub will provide a unified approach for individuals rebuilding their lives post-attack, offering a single contact point for emotional and practical support, personalized support plans, and dedicated caseworkers. Specially trained caseworkers will be available to assist children and young people in need.
Katie Kempen, chief executive at Victim Support, highlighted the profound and lasting impact terror attacks can have on victims and their families. She stressed the significance of timely and suitable assistance in aiding recovery.