Supporting the survivors: Experiences and perceptions of peer support offered to UK terrorist survivors
| Published date | 01 January 2021 |
| Date | 01 January 2021 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0269758020964364 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
Supporting the survivors:
Experiences and perceptions
of peer support offered
to UK terrorist survivors
Nichola Emma Jalfon Rew
University of Portsmouth, UK
Abstract
Recent terror incidents in the UK, including the targeting of concert attendees in Manchester, to
individuals socialising and working in central London, highlight the public’s vulnerability and that
attacks can be indiscriminate, resulting in any individual becoming a victim to this fearful crime.
As a consequence of these and other attacks, including those overseas, media reporting within
the UK has increasingly focused on the inadequate levels of support offered to survivors from
official agencies. However, little evaluation has been conducted regarding the benefits of support
networks and online support groups created directlybythoseindividualsaffectedbyterror
attacks.
Quantitative research findings obtained through a self-administered online questionnaire,
completed by 81 survivors of terrorist attacks who are members of different peer support
networks in the UK, endorsed that while victims feel that adequate professional support is
lacking, significant positive experiences have been achieved through peer support, particularly
through the internet. This first independent academic study found that it was these methods
of support that had the most resonance with individuals and offers several recommendations,
based on findings, which could enhance and improve support for survivors of terrorism in the
future.
Keywords
Terrorism, survivor, victim, support, internet
Corresponding author:
Nichola Emma Jalfon Rew, Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth, University House, Winston
Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2UP, UK.
Email: nichola.rew@myport.ac.uk
International Review of Victimology
2021, Vol. 27(1) 63–79
ªThe Author(s) 2020
Article reuse guidelines:
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DOI: 10.1177/0269758020964364
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Introduction
In recent years, the year 2017 can possibly be regarded as one of the most challenging for the police
and security services with regard to the fight against terror in the UK. During this period an
unprecedented five terror attacks occurred, resulting in the deaths of 36 individuals, with numerous
others experiencing life-changing physical and psychological injuries. In the 12 months between
1 June 2016 and 1 June 2017, 449 arrests were made for terrorist-related offences in the UK, with a
further 351 arrests made during the following 12-month period (Home Office, 2018). Such figures
endorse how the threat is ever present, and with this comes the likelihood of further terror attacks,
impacting both physically and mentally on more individuals.
Although significant progress has been made in the UK to improve experiences for victims of
crime (Tapley, 2016), those affected by terrorist attacks continue to feel dissatisfied with levels of
support offered by official agencies. Support for terrorist survivors in the UK is frequently sub-
sumed under a more general approach, within services that are intended and designed for victims of
any crime. While government funding for counterterrorism has experienced a sharp increase in
recent years, this is not necessarily invested in addressing the long-term after-effects of terrorism
and the care of victims, with terrorist victims frequently positioned lower in counterterrorism
priorities (Bottigliero et al., 2015).
On a global scale, the most significant recognition for victims of terrorism has been made by the
United Nations. In 2008 the first international symposium on supporting victims of terrorism was
held, which aimed to initiate dialogue between victims globally into how best to support their
needs. This was followed in 2011 with the publication of The Criminal Justice Response to Support
Victims of Acts of Terrorism, which provided the criminal justice response to the support of victims
globally, whilst addressing the differing legislation and practices between countries (United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2011). Developments in this area further led to an online
portal (The United Nations Victims of Terrorism Support Portal) being launched in 2014, which
continues to provide references to country-specific information and importantly a directory of
organisations supporting victims.
Within England and Wales, victim services are commissioned by Police and Crime Commis-
sioners, with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime stating that any victim of terrorism is
entitled to access enhanced support services (Ministry of Justice, 2015). For individuals who were
directly affected by a terror incident in the UK, for example, financial assistance is accessible
through UK government schemes offered through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority,
with applications considered against the criteria of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
2012. For those involved in terror incidents that occurred overseas, post 27 November 2012, a
longer-term financial support initiative is available through the Victim of Overseas Terrorism
Compensation Scheme, 2012. The rules of the scheme, and value of payments, are set by the
UK Parliament with consideration made with regard to claims for mental or physical injury
following a designated terrorist act, funeral payments and to loss of earnings where an individual
has limited capacity to work that exceeds more than 28 days. Charitable funds have been another
financial support option within the UK in recent years, with the London Emergency Trust and the
We Love Manchester Support group offering support to those involved in both the London attacks
of 2017 and the Manchester Arena attack the same year.
However, official emotional and psychological support for terror victims is largely restricted to
support phone lines or private counsellors due to lengthy waits for one-to-one support from state-
funded counselling services. Phone line support, delivered by established groups including the Red
64 International Review of Victimology 27(1)
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