The new IRVA role was recently taken on by Barry Andrews, who lives on Anglesey and previously served with North Wales Police, first as an officer from 1987 to 2017 and then as a member of police staff until January this year. He was a member of the roads policing team for 24 of the 30 years he spent as an officer, and took on family liaison officer duties for 17 years.
Brake’s National Road Victim Service is the only specialist, clinically and trauma-informed, end-to-end, in-person caseworker service supporting road victims from every police force in the UK. Brake’s objective is to care for road victims when the worst happens, helping them cope and recover, working towards wellbeing, through tailored support to meet their individual needs.
Road victims face many complex practical procedures after a crash, such as identifying a loved one’s body, attending a criminal or inquest hearing, getting a loved one's property and clothing returned, understanding how a collision happened, and providing a Victim Impact Statement in court. The new IRVA role will provide face-to-face support via an improved referral pathway from North Wales Police family liaison officers, who have first contact with road victims.
The IRVA can assist with:
- Emotional support
- Practical support
- Understanding procedures, such as criminal prosecutions or court cases
- Seeking and using lawyers
- Family support, for example with children or the elderly
- Injury rehabilitation.
Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, commented: “I am proud that we have been able to fund an Independent Road Victim Advocate for North Wales. Barry Andrews will be able to offer much-needed support and guidance to bereaved families and seriously injured people at the most vulnerable and distressing moments of their lives.
“Road safety forms a key part of my plan for policing and crime in North Wales. We always hope to prevent tragedies before they happen, through education, awareness and enforcement, but the role of IRVA also shows how much importance we place on supporting victims and in helping them to come to terms with what has happened. I hope that in his new role Barry will make a real difference to supporting victims and their families in North Wales.”
Ross Moorlock, CEO at Brake, the road safety charity added: “We are delighted to be working with the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s office to provide families in North Wales with the support they need following a sudden loss or serious injury in a road crash. Being able to access specialist, trauma-informed support in local communities can make such a difference when families need it most.”
Barry Andrews, Brake’s Independent Road Victim Advocate for North Wales, added: “I performed the role of a Family Liaison Officer for 17 years, so I am well-versed in this type of work supporting people who are going through such difficult times. I am looking forward to doing my best to serve road victim families in North Wales at the time they need it most.”