About Victim Support Lambeth

Victim Support is an independent national charity and voluntary organisation that offers people free, confidential support and information following a crime.

Victim Support Lambeth is the local branch offering this service to all Lambeth residents. It is one of 43 Victim Support Schemes within the Greater London area. It was started in 1980 and is one of the busiest schemes in the country.

Lambeth is the largest Inner London Borough, with a population of 275,800 (2000 mid year estimation).

Between March 2001 and April 2002 we had 13,297 crimes referred to us. That's roughly one crime for every twenty people living in the Borough.

Lambeth is a socially and culturally diverse Borough:

37.5% of residents are from the ethnic minorities
28% are from Afro-Caribbean groups
4% are from the Indian subcontinent

Refugees living in Lambeth come from countries as diverse as Vietnam, Somalia, Eritrea, Angola, Kurdish areas, Azerbaijan and numerous others.

Approximately 150 languages are spoken in the Borough. After English the main languages are Yoruba followed by Portuguese.

Our clientele reflects this diversity. Last year:

42% came from the ethnic minority communities
26.5% from the Afro-Caribbean communities
6.5% from the Indian subcontinent
9% from other minority groups

We aim to offer a comprehensive service to all sections of the community and we are committed to ensuring that those from minority and disadvantaged groups are welcomed and involved throughout the organisation.

The number of young people (those under 18 years of age) who were crime victims continues to rise - last year they accounted for more than 8% of our total number of referrals. We are here to help children as well as adults, and are also available to help parents and carers support their children following a crime.

The scheme receives most (81%) of its referrals from the police, but welcomes referrals from other agencies and from victims themselves or those who know them.

The information we receive, like our service, remains confidential and we do not provide information about individuals to the police, council or any other group without the consent of the person concerned.

Victim Support Lambeth is committed to:

Providing victims of crime, who are resident in the London Borough of Lambeth, with appropriate and sufficient recognition, support and information to assist them in dealing with the crimes and the effects of crime, which they have experienced.

Ensuring that the rights of the victims of crime are acknowledged and advanced in all aspects of the criminal justice system and social policy.

Aiming to ensure that victims receive a consistent level of service throughout the London Borough of Lambeth.