'Please speak out and accept help': Wakefield mum urges abuse victims to come forward

A West Yorkshire mother has spoken out in her son's memory by urging crime victims to seek and accept help whenever they need it.

It comes after a new strategy set out plans to improve support for victims, survivors and witnesses across West Yorkshire's criminal justice system.

Briony Hallas' son Joe, who died during the COVID pandemic, was abused as a teenager but did not tell anyone until years later.

Briony, who lives in the Wakefield district, said she wishes he had asked for support at the time.

On Tuesday (June 28), she met with West Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, at an exhibition she organised in Joe's memory.

Held at Queen's Mill in Castleford, the exhibition reflects on the impact of not speaking out after abuse.

“It was one instance, but that’s all it takes and Joe felt unable to speak out at the time, developing his own coping strategies which in turn led to other things that weren’t helpful to him, ultimately leading to his death,” Ms Hallas said.

“If you’re the victim of any abuse, please speak out and accept help as it’s never your fault and people are there to support you.”

The new strategy set out by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) focuses on three areas: placing victims at the heart of the criminal justice process, equity of access, and the victims' journey.

Alongside improving safety for witnesses and survivors, it also aims to improve their experience of the criminal justice system and bring more perpetrators to justice.

"My message to victims of crime is that you're not alone and you can ask for help whenever you need it,” said Alison Lowe OBE.

"As a survivor, I know how important it is for people to have easy access to support and to know someone has their back during a stressful and often traumatic time.

"Improving trust and confidence in the criminal justice system is vital to our plans for a safer, fairer West Yorkshire."