Victim First at Leicester Pride

The following is a blog from one of our senior caseworkers about her experience attending Leicester Pride.

On August 31st our Restorative Justice caseworker Jas and I attended Leicester Pride at Victoria Park. Alongside the Leicestershire Police Hate Crime Team, the Leicestershire Police Diversity Team, the Office of the Police Crime Commissioner and the Police Cadet Team we set up around 10am, just before the arrival of the parade, with our many goodies including some specially made Victim First Pride stickers (courtesy of one of our marketing leads Chris Goodrich) and plenty of sweets.

Despite the quick down-pour of rain in the afternoon the day was lovely and sunny. It was great to see so many people interacting with ourselves and the police to talk about being a victim or a witness of a crime. It was especially interesting to speak to a number of people, from different backgrounds, about their current journey and their experiences with hate crime.

It was also great to see so many stakeholders there including the Leicester LGBT Centre, Trade, Juniper Lodge and many more. It was lovely to see the attendees interacting with all the services and finding out more about them.

This event is always a highlight in my own work calendar with this year being my 3rd Pride in a row with Victim First. It’s always wonderful to take along other members of staff and see them enjoy the vibrant day that is Leicester Pride. So thank you to Jas for accompanying me this year and I hope you had as much fun as I did.

Rachael Atkinson Millmoor

(Senior Caseworker)