Introduction
During ASB Awareness Week we brought together frontline practitioners, sector leaders and partners for a parliamentary reception to celebrate the launch of the late Baroness Helen Newlove’s final annual report as Victims’ Commissioner. This event allowed us to celebrate the work that Helen did for victims of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the legacy she has left for us to take forward.
“Victims need a justice system that works – not in theory, but in practice.” – Baroness Newlove
Read Baroness Helen Newlove’s final annual report here.
Celebrating Baroness Helen Newlove’s work
Following the tragic death of her husband, Garry Newlove, who was a victim of anti-social behaviour (ASB), Helen became a tireless champion who fought for fundamental change in how victims are treated across the justice system.
We watched as Helen spent over a decade advocating for the rights of ASB victims, ensuring their voices were heard. As a charity who worked closely with Helen, it was an honour for us to host a tribute to her legacy.
Our CEO, Harvi, states:
“As CEO of ASB Help, I was honoured to stand alongside Claire Waxman, Lord Russell, and colleagues from across government and the victim’s sector to celebrate the life and legacy of Baroness Helen Newlove. Helen was a tireless advocate for victims of anti‑social behaviour, and her determination to ensure their voices were heard has shaped the national landscape in profound and lasting ways.
Her work continues to guide our mission at ASB Help. Every day, we see the impact of her insistence that victims must be listened to, supported and treated with dignity. Honouring Helen during the ASB Awareness Week was a powerful reminder that practitioners remain committed to ensuring victims are never left to navigate the system alone.
Helen was a remarkable champion for victims. While her loss is deeply felt, her legacy endures in the organisations, practitioners, and communities she inspired. At ASB Help, we will continue to honour her by standing up for victims and driving the change she knew was possible. We look forward to working closely with Claire in her role as Victims’ Commissioner.”
Important discussions
As part of this event, we heard from multiple speakers including Helen’s successor Claire Waxman, Lord Russell and our CEO, Harvi.
As Helen was a big advocate for ensuring the victim’s voice was heard, we wanted to bring the victim’s voice into the room with us. We shared a montage of victims speaking about their experiences of ASB. We are grateful to the victims who courageously spoke about their experiences and allowed us to be a mouthpiece and amplify their voices. You can watch this video below:
PLEASE NOTE: This video includes discussions about suicidal thoughts which some viewers may find distressing.
What can we take away from this?
A clear theme ran throughout the discussions at this event, namely that progress on paper means little if there is no implementation or real impact on victims. Baroness Newlove’s final report leaves behind a powerful legislative framework and demonstrates clearly that more work needs to be done. To truly honour Helen’s legacy, we must take the progress written on paper and put it into action.
The current Victims’ Commissioner, Claire Waxman, states:
“It was a privilege and honour to join Lord Russell, ASB Help and colleagues from across government and the victim’s sector at the House of Lords this week to reflect on and celebrate the life of Baroness Helen Newlove, former Victims’ Commissioner and an incredible victim’s champion. Hosting this event during ASB awareness week was particularly poignant, as Helen dedicated so much of her life and work to fundamentally reshaping how ASB victims are heard and supported across the system.
Helen’s legacy will endure in the systems she changed, the voices she amplified and her steadfast insistence that justice must never forget those harmed by ASB and crime.
As Victims Commissioner I am determined to build on Helen’s legacy, ensuring that victims’ rights under the code are delivered; that there is greater transparency and accountability for victims, and that all victims of ASB and crime receive the help and support they need.
While we all lost a huge champion of victims in the deeply sad and untimely passing of Baroness Newlove, victims of anti-social behaviour still have, and will always have, a champion in the Victims’ Commissioner.”
Conclusion
Baroness Newlove changed the national landscape by refusing to let victims be treated as an afterthought. The best way we can honour her work is not through tribute alone, but through accountability. As we move forward, it is vital that we remain focused on improving the justice system and outcomes for victims.