Manaaki Tāngata Victim Support is here 24/7 for people directly affected by crime, suicide and traumatic events, including their whānau and witnesses.

“Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support helps around 50,000 victims nationwide every year, which is nearly 1,000 victims each week,” says district manager Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Brent Nielsen.

Brent says that like most regions across the country, the Bay of Plenty has seen an apparent increase in demand for the Victim Support services.

“In Tauranga alone, we’ve supported 41 per cent more people in the first five months of this year compared to last year, averaging 15 incidents every week.”

Victim support aims to support people to feel more informed, empowered, safe and able to cope with the impact of trauma.

Brent says the services are a crucial resource for nearly 3000 individuals each year.

“Anyone can find themselves a victim of crime or affected by a traumatic event. The impacts are profound, affecting individuals and communities alike.

“Victim support is so much more than a mere charitable gesture – it changes victim’s lives.

“We know from recent research that 42 per cent of people likely would have dropped out of the criminal justice process if it weren’t for Victim Support.

“Victims face a wide range of crime and traumatic events - from burglary, assault and cybercrime to homicide, road crashes and suicide. These experiences can leave lasting emotional, physical, social, and financial impacts.

“Many victims feel as though their lives have been turned upside down and feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn.

“Victim Support is here 24/7 for people directly affected by crime, suicide and traumatic events, including their whānau and witnesses. We support people to feel informed, empowered, safe and able to cope with the impact.”

Manaki Tāngata | Victim Support. Photo: Rebecca McMillan Photography.

Victim Support provides many services covering emotional support, practical assistance, information and criminal justice and coronial process support.

The service aims to listen, normalise, validate and support victims to identify ways to cope.

The service aims to develop a support plan, access financial assistance from the Victims Assistance Scheme if eligible, and advocate.

They provide information on what happens next as well as coping resources and helping to understand your rights and make informed choices.

They assist with understanding the court system, Victim Notification Register applications, victim impact statements, and supporting key moments during court, parole hearings and coronial inquests.

“We’re someone independent and non-judgmental that the victim can talk to. We work with them to develop a support plan, access any financial assistance if they’re eligible, link them with community resources and advocate on their behalf.

Brent says their support workers and volunteers are at the heart of the organisation. “Our people come from all walks of life, just like the people we support.

“What makes them special is that they are everyday people who have been highly trained to meet victims’ needs with professionalism.

“Like our other teams across the country, our people in the Bay of Plenty are based in the communities they support.”

Brent says the teams are highly trained to provide immediate, tailored assistance and collaborate closely with local community agencies to ensure their clients’ needs are met.

Manaki Tāngata | Victim Support. Photo: Rebecca McMillan Photography.

“The justice system can be complicated and unfamiliar. We can help victims to understand and engage with the justice system and the coronial process and answer any questions they may have.

“Victim Support is free and available to everyone, even if a crime is not reported to the Police.

“Victims often begin their journey with us feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable. Many victims express that our services have been instrumental in helping them regain control of their lives and stay engaged with the justice system.

“Our latest Consumer Evaluation Survey revealed that 93 per cent of victims surveyed reported positive outcomes such as feeling listened to, supported, more informed, better able to make decisions, better able to cope and less stressed.”

Brent stresses that none of us know when tragedy may strike, “We simply hope it never does. But if it does, no one should be left wondering what to do or how to cope.

“Victims should know that they are not alone, and that support is available at any time. We put our clients at the heart of everything we do, and are honoured to deliver mana-enhancing, trauma-informed support for people in the Bay of Plenty and beyond.

“While our service is essential, we are a charitable organisation that relies on government contracts, grants and donations.

“Demand for our services is increasing in the Bay of Plenty and across the whole country.

“To make sure we can continue to provide round-the-clock support for victims, please consider donating to Victim Support: www.victimsupport.org.nz/donate

“Victims of crime, suicide and traumatic events can contact us confidentially on 0800 842 846 or find out more on our website: www.victimsupport.org.nz.

“Our website has a ‘quick exit’ button on the top so they can leave the site quickly if they need to.”