I first got to know Baroness Newlove, when she invited me to join her victims’ advisory
group during her first stint as Victims‘ Commissioner. I wasn’t sure quite what to expect
– whether she’d be a grand and imposing dowager straight out of Downton Abbey – or
something else entirely. She definitely wasn’t the former.

Helen was warm, funny, empathetic and immensely kind. She was a beacon of hope
and support for all victims whatever the problems they had experienced.

I will be forever grateful to her as she was one of the very first who took victims of
mentally disordered offenders seriously and did so much to help. She commissioned a
powerful report which led to significant changes in legislation in the Victims and
Prisoners’ Bill.

She ‘got it’. We didn’t need to explain the emotional, physical and psychological toil of
having to battle with a multitude of services for basic rights and information, whilst we
were still grieving. She immediately understood the unfairness and need for urgent
change. And she was definitely not backward in coming forward to speak up powerfully
for victims, not only in the House of Lords, but wherever she could around the country.
I’d heard that she’d been unwell but was so shocked and saddened to hear she had
passed away so suddenly.

I will miss her friendship and dedication, her infectious laugh, the pictures of her dog,
but most of all the fantastic support and help she gave both to me and to all of our
families.

Helen, we will sorely miss you.