BEING a victim of any crime can affect someone’s life forever.

But Sharon Phillips, a victim of crime herself, has made it a major part of her life to help and change those affected by the cruel acts of criminals for the better.

As a delivery service manager for Oxfordshire-based charity Victim Support, the 36-year-old told The Oxford Mail there would be only one thing she would have changed about her role - that she knew about the work earlier.

Ms Phillips first learned about the charity, which helps any victim of crime recover from their ordeal, in March last year while studying a Masters degree in forensic psychology after leaving her job in marketing.

As during her retraining, Ms Phillips said she could have used the service herself after her home was burgled a few years ago.

“I was working in marketing for about four or five years. It was ok but I sort of knew I did not want to be doing that in 10 years’ time or for the rest of my life,” she said.

“I was always interested in psychology so I just thought let’s do that.”

“I know from working here it is something I could have benefitted from,” she added.

“I remember how I felt at that time. If I could help someone who felt like that.

“You’re helping someone personally help themselves. It’s really powerful and really rewarding.

“I wish I had done this years ago. To go to work to help someone help someone else is really a worthwhile thing to be doing.”

Ms Phillips said the burglary to her family home turned her ‘world upside down’.

She suffered nightmares and had to fix bolts to all of the doors.

She added: “Being burgled is a massive deal.

“It’s someone who has been in your home and touched your things and has taken your things.

“My husband had one of his toys stolen form when he was a child.

“He was absolutely heart broken.

“They took cash. They took his medals from his shooting competitions.”

Ms Phillips became a full-time employee a few months after enjoying her role as a volunteer.

She added the charity was open to any member of the public who wanted to volunteer their time to helps victims of crimes overcome the horrors of household burglary to serious sexual offences.

Ms Phillips said: “It was quite hard to know what to expect. Each client is massively different.

“We start volunteers in core training and they speak to victims of minor assault, burglary, theft for example. Then they can specialise into sexual abuse and sexual violence.

“It’s really hard to know what to expect each is so different.

“We support victims of burglary right up to homicide, which requires specialist training. We provide support for every crime.

“It’s emotional support and personal support. It’s off loading, it’s listening into people which is such a powerful thing.”

Most of the victims helped by the charity, which covers the whole of the Thames Valley, are referred by the police force.

Volunteers and support workers first speak to clients on the phone and hear about their ordeal before providing support.

Victims can contact the charity no matter how long ago a crime has taken place. They can also received help for as long as they need.

Last year, Victim Support offered immediate support to more than 22,000 people affected by crime in the Thames Valley area, and gave in-depth support to more than 2,200 people.

One man, who experienced emotional and physical abuse by an ex-partner for almost 20 years said he felt stronger and empowered thanks to the support he has received.

He said: “Victim Support really helped stabilise my thinking.

“I feel more like I am worth something and I deserve to have good things happen to me.

“Life is looking better than ever as I can now acknowledge my war is over.

“It’s so peaceful that I can see, hear and feel things I haven’t for a long time.”

Ms Phillips said the charity was really flexible for volunteers giving up their own time to work.

She added she hoped to specialise to become a case worker to help those affected by sexual violence.

She added: “It’s about getting people back on their feet.

“I know a lot of people involved with victim support do it, because they want to give something back.

“I know from working here it is something I could have benefitted from.

“It is very rewarding. If you’re looking for something that is different everyday then be a volunteer.

“Every case is unique. It’s exciting. It’s a really good opportunity.”