We will listen to you 

We will listen to you 

The charity provides a listening ear and will document those instances for you.

Investigation of all detail is considered and the charity adheres to this while providing helpful non-judgemental safe space to express whatever has been witnessed or experienced. And when the time is right, action will be taken with the relevant Blue Light Organisation whether a constabulary, ambulance Trust or Fire Service.

Our aim is to stop people like David Carrick a Metropolitan Police armed officer who used his role to put fear into his victims and commit sexual offences against 12 women over 20 years, many of these victims were too afraid to say anything.

Sadly, all three blue light services have let victims down, especially women. In 2022 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Byron Standen, a senior officer at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service retired on full pension, weeks after being found to have sexually harassed various female staff. An investigation by ITV News into South Wales Fire and Rescue Service raised similar concerns about the sexual harassment and abuse of women.

Figures show that dozens of ambulance workers have faced action over sexual assault in the past few years, while paramedics account for one in three cases of tribunal action against care professionals. But one survivors group warned the figures were just the “tip of the iceberg”. It comes after a spate of cases in which abusers have used positions of power in the emergency services to carry out attacks. (Source: The Independent February 13 2023)

Matters are compounded by those who are partners of blue light workers. They are intimately connected to those they are reporting. These blue light workers will often tell those they are abusing that their word will always be believed over those of the victim. Understandably women in this position will also be fearful of the response they will receive from other blue light workers possibly based within the same organisation as their partner.

Blue Light Whistle Blowers supports victims and helps them prepare for speaking out. We recognise that whilst some victims will be happy to report wrongdoing, others will need emotional support and could be very fragile. We will never force victims to speak out until they are ready but we will keep a record with the victims’ consent to help preserve a journal. We will also work with other partners like sexual assault centres which will capture and preserve evidence until the victim is ready to bring charges.