Mum speaks out in son's memory encouraging victims to seek support

A West Yorkshire mum has spoken out in her son's memory by urging victims of crime to seek out and accept help whenever they need it. 

It comes as a new strategy sets out plans to improve support for victims, survivors and witnesses across the region's criminal justice system. 

Briony Hallas' son Joe, who died during the coronavirus pandemic, was abused as a teenager but did not tell anyone until years later. She wishes he had asked for support at the time.

On Tuesday she met West Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Alison Lowe at an exhibition she organised in Joe's memory, at the Queen's Mill in Castleford, which reflects on the impact of not speaking out after abuse. 

Briony, who lives in the Wakefield district, said::

“It was one instance, but that’s all it takes and Joe felt unable to speak out at the time, developing his own coping strategies which in turn led to other things that weren’t helpful to him, ultimately leading to his death.

“If you’re the victim of any abuse, please speak out and accept help as it’s never your fault and people are there to support you.

“I’m really grateful to Alison for visiting the exhibition and the work she and the Mayor are doing to make a difference to victims and survivors.”

The new strategy has three key themes: placing victims at the heart of the criminal justice process, equity of access, and the victims' journey.

Alongside helping more victims and survivors stay safe from abuse, it aims to improve their experience of the criminal justice system and bring more perpetrators to justice.

Supporting victims and witnesses is one of the main priorities in the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Plan.

Mayor Tracy Brabin commissions a wide range of services, securing £4.8million from the Ministry of Justice between 2024 and 2025 to support victims of crime across West Yorkshire. This funded 32 services, supporting more than 73,466 victims of crime. 

Meanwhile the innovative West Yorkshire Women's Safety Unit is increasing support for victims by driving down investigation times as well as increasing the use and awareness of protective orders and disclosure schemes to keep victims and survivors safe.

West Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE said:

"My message to victims of crime is that you're not alone and you can ask for help whenever you need it.

"As a survivor, I know how important it is for people to have easy access to support and to know someone has their back during a stressful and often traumatic time.

"Improving trust and confidence in the criminal justice system is vital to our plans for a safer, fairer West Yorkshire."

Delivery actions in the new strategy include: 

• Influence policy and practice with victims and survivors’ lived experience shaping decisions.
• Work to build trust and confidence in policing and the wider system, especially among underrepresented and marginalised communities.
• Ensure that victims and survivors are kept informed, consulted on key decisions and notified about outcomes throughout the course of the investigation and court process.
• Improve vulnerable victims’ access to special measures – practical steps to help someone feel safer and more comfortable when giving evidence, such as giving evidence via video link or screening.

To find out more about services for victims, visit our Support for victims and witnesses webpage.

The victims and witnesses strategy is available to read in full on our website.