Rest in Power - Baroness Helen Newlove
Duncan Craig, CEO of We Are Survivors, members of the GM VCFSE Leadership Group and co-chair of the Victims and Justice sub-group, has shared the following message following the sad passing of Baroness Helen Newlove, the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales.
It goes without saying that Baroness Helen Newlove was a dedicated community campaigner, activist and one of the most dedicated individuals focused on the needs of victims.
In 2007, following the horrific and senseless murder of her husband, Garry Newlove, at the hands of a gang of youths outside their home; Helen became a prominent and powerful national voice for victims of crime, launching a tireless campaign to call on authorities to take action against persistent anti-social behaviour and youth violence.
Because of her work she was appointed Government Champion for Active, Safer Communities in 2010 and that same year, nominated for a peerage by then Prime Minister. In 2013 she became the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales which she held this title until 2019, and then later returned to office in 2023 to the present day.
During her time in office, Helen was instrumental in driving reforms to place victims at the heart of the justice system. She laid crucial groundwork to enshrine victims’ rights in law, a vision that contributed to the passage of the Victims and Prisoners Act (2024). She led important reviews of the Victims’ Code, the Parole system, and continued to spotlight the severe impact of anti-social behaviour, which she explored in depth in her 2019 report, Living a Nightmare, and revisited in 2023.
As Commissioner, Helen published the largest victim surveys ever produced by the office, with the most recent capturing the voices and experiences of over 6,500 victims. She was determined that victims' voices should be heard, and was passionate about meeting victims and hearing about their experiences.
Helen’s philosophy was profoundly shaped by her and her family’s personal experiences of the criminal justice system. Her overarching goal was to improve victims’ experiences in court and ensure they were granted a meaningful voice throughout the criminal justice process. But above all, she was determined that victims should be treated with compassion, decency, and respect – hallmarks of her approach as Victims’ Commissioner.
She was a great friend of the Greater Manchester VCFSE Victims & Justice Group and regularly asked about the work being undertaken, always offering advice, support and guidance when needed.
Helen will be deeply missed of course by her family, her friends, and her colleagues; but will also be remembered by victims across England and Wales as a true champion.
