Support inspires victim to become a volunteer

MANY traumatised victims of crime would be left with no-one to turn to but for the work of caring volunteers at Oldham Victim Support. Chadderton’s Julie Barbour was so impressed with the support she was given she has now become a volunteer to help others. To mark Volunteers’ Week, Chronicle reporter Richard Hooton spoke to Julie about her own horrifying experience and how she was inspired to offer her services.

AS a victim of domestic violence, Julie Barbour can appreciate what other victims are going through and how vital it is that someone is there to help them.

It was nearly five years ago when a relationship with an abusive fiancé nearly came to a terrible end when he attacked her as she drove along the M66.

“I was driving down the motorway with him and we were having an argument. He threatened to kill me and punched me in the stomach and side of the head,” said the 25-year-old.

The assault could have had fatal consequences but, thankfully, the motorway wasn’t busy. Julie was able to bring the car screeching to a halt on the hard shoulder.

She was so desperate to escape she leapt out and ran down the middle of the motorway as her enraged boyfriend smashed the windscreen.

A motorist managed to avoid hitting her and took her to safety while the police were called.

Julie said: “I didn’t want them to be involved but the police officer was really good at reassuring me and said ‘we are here to help and you don’t deserve to be treated like this.’”

The couple had been together for 14 months but he became increasingly controlling and would be verbally and physically abusive.

Julie explained: “I always said to myself I can’t imagine being with someone who raises their hand — I would not stand it and get out. But when I was actually in that situation, it was different. They have that much control they are able to talk you round.

“It was things I didn’t notice which gradually built up. He stopped me seeing my friends and family. It got worse and worse. I was walking on eggshells.”

He would criticise friends, wouldn’t allow her to have male friends, said she made too much noise and tried to stop her moving to university.

“I feel quite lucky to have got out when I did,” said Julie. “I’m thankful that something so bad happened as I had no choice then but to get out. Something smaller could have been brushed over.

“People said ‘you ran out on to the motorway?’ but God knows what else he would have done. When you are there in the moment you just want to get away.”

She gave a statement and her boyfriend was arrested.

The police then referred Julie to Oldham Victim Support, part of the Greater Manchester Victim Support and Witness Protection Service. It has 26 volunteers who carry out home visits and 16 who work in the courts.

The service, based at the Meridian Centre, King Street, has recently secured funding, thanks to Oldham Council commissioning it for another two years.

The boyfriend initially pleaded not guilty so Julie at first thought she would have to give evidence. She was helped by the witness service who showed her round the court and explained what would happen. However, at the last minute, he changed his plea and was given a two-month suspended sentence for assault with a requirement to attend anger management courses.

Julie had been reluctant to burden family and friends with her troubles but found a friendly ear with Victim Support, who also helped with a compensation claim for injuries.

She said: “You feel ashamed that you have let it happen to yourself. But they were absolutely brilliant. Because of how Victim Support helped me, I realised how valuable it was. When you are a victim of crime there’s no-one else to turn to.

“There’s nothing else like Victim Support. There’s a gap in the market that it helps fill. It’s something a lot of people aren’t aware of. Unless you’ve been a victim you don’t know it exists.”

Julie went to university but on returning to Oldham decided to become a volunteer in January. She did a week’s training and is looking forward to more as she builds on her skills.

She has mostly dealt with burglary and mugging victims — the most common crimes — but with more training and experience, could move on to helping with even more serious incidents.

She said: “You sometimes feel you are not helping them as you are sat listening to them, but then you remember how it was for you.

“It was great to be able to talk to a complete stranger. It’s important they know they can contact you if there’s something worrying them or they need another visit.”

Victim Support can also give practical help, such as helping burglary victims secure their homes, mark belongings or give out personal alarms.

Julie has come through the experience positively and finds volunteering rewarding.

She said: “It was horrible as I thought there would be repercussions. I thought he would find me or I’d see him in the street. I could not go to places we went together.

“With relationships since then I have looked out for signs again. I think I analyse things too much now to see the signs. But I think I’m a stronger person because of it.

“Being a volunteer has developed me as a person and my interaction skills. You’re meeting people from all backgrounds and ages you would never normally meet. It gives you confidence.

“The satisfaction you are getting is you know you are helping someone who might not have anyone to rely on.”




For more information, call 0161-652 0405.