The Youth Advisory Panel
Victim Support's Youth Advisory Panel (the YAP) is based at Victim Support's local office in Norfolk. We are aged 12-17 and have all been affected by crime in some way. Our slogan is 'we want to speak for young victims'. We give advice to Victim Support about how they should support young people affected by crime. Here's what some of us have to say about being in the YAP:
"Being a victim of crime affects you both physically and mentally. After I was attacked, Victim Support helped me to repair my self-confidence and get my life back on track while the doctors tended to my physical problems. Working with the YAP has allowed me to turn a very big negative in my life into a very big positive. I hope that I can help others turn their lives around."(David, 17)
"It's putting something back into the community. Young people need to have a voice, and that's where we come in." (Madi, 13)
"When I was a witness of crime I suffered alone. If I had known about Victim Support at the time I would have been much happier. We want to help Victim Support raise awareness so that every child and young person knows about the support that is available if they are affected by crime." (Tilly, 16)
Find out more about the YAP's work, or send us a message, at our blog, www.youthadvisorypanel.blogspot.com.
