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The UK Government will set up a support hub for victims and survivors of a terrorist attack. The Home Office has opened a consultation for a ‘National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism’.
Home Office Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: “The impact of a terrorist attack is long-lasting and evolving. Victims and survivors of terrorism need the highest levels of support to recover and rebuild their lives. These reforms will significantly enhance the support available to those affected.
“I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and courage of all those who helped to shape these reforms and pledge my commitment to ensuring victims and survivors of terrorism receive the support and recognition they deserve. The first duty of government is to keep our country safe, which is the foundation of our Plan for Change.”
Brendan Cox, co-founder of Survivors Against Terror, is the widower of the Labour MP Jo Cox who was murdered during the Brexit referendum campaign in 2016. He said: “Survivors of terror attacks have been crying out for change for years. Todayโs double announcement is a major step forward in giving survivors and victims the recognition they deserve and the support that they need.
“Terrorists aim to divide and weaken our society – our best response is to hold together – and stage one of that is looking after those who have suffered the most.”
The definition is ‘anyone who has suffered physical, mental and emotional harm because of a terrorist attack’. Opinions are invited on a potential name, date and the ways a day could be marked. As for which day, the consultation document notes that the United Nations has set August 21 as a day for ‘Remembrance and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism’, while on the Continent, March 11 is in use, to mark the 2004 Madrid bombings.
Review
A review meanwhile identified 11 themes of issues faced by victims and survivors, related to bespoke support, communications, mental health support, physical health support, financial support, overseas support, children and young people, media interactions, first response and Family Liaison Officers, legal support, and recognition. The review pointed to ‘a lack of clear and proactive communications on the support available to victims and survivors, including on mental health support and compensation, and where this support can be found, both in the immediate aftermath of an attack and in the longer term’.
Consultation
The consultation runs to June 11: visit https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/national-day-for-victims-and-survivors-of-terrorism. As the foreword to the document by Dan Jarvis states, support is available for anyone affected by a terror attack in the UK, and for British nationals affected by attacks overseas. To access, speak to Victim Support by contacting their free 24/7 support line on 0808 168 9111, or on live chat by visiting http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat.
Photo by Mark Rowe: floral tributes laid outside the Houses of Parliament in the aftermath of the Westminster Bridge terror attack in March 2017, that saw the murder of PC Keith Palmer.
