UK’s first ever nationwide day for terrorism victims ‘can save lives’ hope

The UK will today mark its first national day for victims and survivors of terrorism after campaigners warned those affected by atrocities have not been given the support they deserve for years

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The UK today marks its first national day for victims and survivors of terrorism as families say the commemoration can save lives.

Hundreds affected by atrocities in Britain and overseas will fall silent in memory of those killed and impacted in attacks. Andy Burnham said the landmark event shows heartbroken families and emergency responders are not alone.

It follows years of campaigning for better recognition for victims and their loved ones, with a damning report published today finding many are not receiving the support they need to rebuild their lives. The Mirror has campaigned for more help for those affected, and an annual commemoration to ensure vital lessons are learned and tragedies are not forgotten.

Mr Burnham, who was Mayor of Greater Manchester when the Manchester Arena bombing claimed 22 innocent lives in 2019, said: “I am proud that we now have a national day to honour victims and survivors of terrorism.

“There is something remarkable about how we come together as a country in those darkest moments. As time passes, most people go back to their lives, but for those who lived through the trauma, there is no return to normality.

“Today matters because it says you are not alone. You have not been forgotten. This is a moment to remember the loved ones lost and anyone who has survived the very worst of humanity.”

Travis Frain, who was seriously injured when a car was deliberately driven into crowds during the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack, said: “This should be a date when we come together as a country to remember those affected by terrorism and set our sights to the future, to understand how we can all play our part in preventing further radicalisation and defeating the spread of violent extremism.

“It is my hope that this event will be one that we can build on in the years to come, demonstrating clearly that the UK stands firm in the face of terrorism.”

Mr Frain, who went on to launch Resilience in Unity to give victims a voice, and was awarded an OBE in 2023, said: “It absolutely has had a lifelong impact on me in the sense that I realised pretty soon after the attack that I couldn’t just put my head down and pretend that it hadn’t affected me, and I had to learn from what had happened and try and find some kind of positive, and some kind of meaning, if that’s even possible, from such a horrific incident.”

It comes after a report by Survivors Against Terror (SAT) found victims and their families have endured years of failure with uneven support. Co-author Brendan Cox, whose MP wife Jo was murdered by a far-right terrorist in 2016, said: “Today’s first national memorial day for victims and survivors of terrorism is a moment when we hope the nation will remember the impact of terrorism on our fellow citizens.

“But survivors also want it to be a moment of accountability.” And fellow author Lisa Ghiggini, who witnessed the sickening violence when two people were killed in an attack at Fishmongers Hall in London Bridge in 2019, said: “Uneven progress simply isn’t good enough.

“Survivors don’t expect the earth, they just want to be supported when their lives have changed fundamentally through no fault of their own. At the moment we still have members who don’t have the resources to build a downstairs toilet following attacks that have left them struggling to walk. The public expects better.”

SAT’s report found that although there have been improvements in personal and psychological support, there are still huge gaps in financial assistance, compensation, access to legal advice and recognition.

Just 7% said they believed the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) was sympathetic to the needs of victims and survivors.

In June the government launched a new Support Hub for victims and survivors of terrorism. This provides specialist, trauma-informed support for anyone affected by a terrorist incident.

Laurence Taylor, head of national counter terrorism policing, said: “Whenever I speak to survivors and victims of terrorism, I am reminded why our work is so important. It is their experiences, their trauma, that drives all of us at Counter Terrorism Policing in our mission to keep people safe.

“It is absolutely right that we now have a formal moment of reflection in the national calendar, but we must never forget that many survivors live with the impact of terrorism every day. They are remarkable people, who deserve to be recognised for their resilience and bravery shown in the face of unimaginable horror.”

M. Victoria Cummock, widow of John B. Cummock – who was killed in the bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, said: “We are profoundly grateful to the government for establishing this National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism, recognising the experiences of those affected by terror attacks both recent and historic.”

Too often victims have gone unseen and unrecognised

By Dan Jarvis, Security Minister

Today, the nation will come together to mark the first National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism.

For many years, victims, survivors and bereaved families have called for a dedicated day to recognise all those affected by terrorism. Too often, they have felt that the lasting impact of terrorism on their lives has gone unseen and unrecognised.

They have been instrumental in bringing us to this moment and I pay tribute to them for their determination. In recent years, as Security Minister and in Opposition, I have come to know many courageous victims and survivors of terrorism.

I have heard their stories and seen first-hand the remarkable strength they have shown in the face of unimaginable hardship. Terrorism seeks to spread fear and divide our communities. We have seen this recently in the abhorrent targeting of our Jewish communities in Golders Green and Heaton Park.

We must never forget those who have lost their lives, nor the many individuals, families, and communities whose lives have been forever changed by acts of terrorism.

This day is for them. It is an opportunity for all of us to stand alongside victims and survivors. I hope people across the country will join us and take the time to mark this day.

Whether through quiet reflection, acts of remembrance with family and friends, or by coming together within local communities. Every gesture of support and recognition matters.

I will be commemorating the day at an event in London, alongside victims, survivors and their families. You can join us by livestream to observe the ceremony and learn more about this day.

The voices of victims and survivors have shaped this National Day and will continue to guide how it evolves and continues to be observed in the years ahead.

Alongside this day, we have taken significant steps to improve the support and recognition to victims and survivors of terrorism. In June, we launched our dedicated Support Hub, which provides a 24/7 service for victims and survivors of terrorism in both the immediate aftermath of an attack and throughout their longer-term recovery.

Before this launched, for far too long, victims and survivors of terrorism had to navigate complicated and fragmented services. Now, the Support Hub offers them a holistic service with dedicated caseworkers coordinating services and support.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to the victims, survivors, and bereaved families whose dedication has helped make this National Day a reality. Today, we will stand together in remembrance and recognition. We will honour those whose lives were taken, support those whose lives are forever changed, and send a clear message that terrorism will never weaken our resolve.