The speaker at the June Coffee Morning in St Francis Hall was Liz Lynch, Co-ordinator of Victim Support in Wiltshire.

Victim Support is an independent national charity, largely funded by the Home Office together with public donations.  Its purpose is to help people cope with the effects of crime.  Trained volunteers contact victims after a crime has been committed against them and offer free, confidential support and useful information.  People are referred to the V.S. by police and other organisations or make contact themselves to ask for help.

Violence, threats and verbal abuse can happen to anyone, anywhere, and can devastate people's lives.  Should a prosecution arise from such events, V.S. runs a Witness Service which works for the rights of victims, their families, and witnesses before, during and after the Trial.  Trained volunteers will offer emotional support and practical information about Court proceedings so that those involved will learn where to go and what to expect when they arrive.

Burglary is a serious but common crime which affects people in many different ways.  Many victims of a burglary can feel better after talking to someone, independent of family and friends, who is trained to listen.

The Rape and Sexual Assault Service helps thousands of victims a year.  The affects of such attacks will last a long time.  V.S. will help with advice even if the victim does not choose to inform the police and will accompany the victim to the Police Station if she/he does so wish.

The Victim Support Charity can also give advice and help to the victim who may need to seek compensation as a result of injuries or damage sustained.

At the end of a very interesting and informative talk, Jeremy Martin gave a vote of thanks to Liz Lynch on our behalf.

The next monthly meeting will be on Wednesday 18 July when the speaker will be Ruth Newman and the subject, Cholera.