Victim Support London has been awarded funding from London Councils and provides practical and emotional support to people affected by crime.

One of these people is 15 year old Nathan Henry. Nathan was raised in a loving, caring home by his father and grandmother and is a bright and confident boy, liked by his peers and doing extremely well in school.  But in the space of just a few minutes his life was affected forever...

Nathan’s story

"My name is Nathan Henry and I live on the estate in west London where the crime happened.

I was walking with two friends through the estate one afternoon when I saw a group of young boys standing around. I sensed something might be up. The gang started to call out to me and my friend then they started to make threats and brandishing weapons.

At that time everything completely slowed down. I was terrified.

During the attack, I was slashed across my head and ear. My friend was badly hurt on his hand and arm.

Thankfully, all of us were able to run away.  I was left frightened, and I didn’t know why they’d attacked me unprovoked.

I later found out that the word on the streets was that one my friends had disrespected one of the attackers about something as trivial as who was taller than who and that’s why they attacked us.

Victim Support arranged support through a series of one-to-one sessions with the Young Victims of Crime coordinator, Sharain Henry. There were 10 sessions in all of emotional and practical one-to-one support for me and my family.

Victim Support also arranged for me, through the Witness Service, to visit the court before the trial so I could get used to the surroundings.  Finally, Victim Support helped me fill in and send off a Criminal Injuries Compensation application.

My family and I found the practical and emotional support given by Victim Support invaluable. It has helped me and family come to terms with me being a victim of crime.

A while later I was asked to speak at a Victim Support meeting at the Emirates stadium. I spoke about my experience and my father spoke about the effects on my family and the support given by Victim Support. There were two famous ex-footballers there too, Paul Davis and Paul Elliott from ‘Kick it Out’. During the meeting, Paul Davis and I did an interview with Choice FM where I spoke about my experience of being a victim of crime and the work that Victim Support is doing.

The meeting was about volunteering for Victim Support and inspired me to apply to volunteer. I want to support other victims of crime by volunteering with Victim Support."

---

Nathan Henry, crime victim and soon-to-be volunteer with Victim Support.