For twenty-two years, Claire Waxman lived under a shadow. A relentless, terrifying stalking campaign consumed her life, shaping her into a fierce advocate for those failed by the justice system.
Her personal ordeal began decades ago, a time when stalking wasn’t widely understood or taken seriously by authorities. Initial attempts to seek help from the police proved frustrating, leaving her feeling unheard and vulnerable.
The stalker, eventually identified as Fogel, escalated his behavior, even infiltrating her child’s nursery under false pretenses. Though he was ultimately convicted and imprisoned, the legal battles continued, a constant drain on Waxman’s emotional and mental strength.
Fogel repeatedly violated court orders, demonstrating a chilling disregard for the law and Waxman’s safety. He even attempted to appeal the restrictions placed upon him, forcing Waxman back into the courtroom time and again.
Waxman’s experience isn’t isolated. Across the country, victims of crime face agonizing delays and systemic obstacles. Rape Crisis England & Wales reports survivors are waiting, on average, over two years for their cases to be resolved in court.
The Crown Court backlog has reached staggering levels, climbing to 76,957 cases by the end of March – an 11% increase from the previous year. This congestion creates further trauma and uncertainty for those seeking justice.
Driven by her own experiences and the stories of countless others, Waxman envisions a fundamental shift in how victims are treated within the criminal justice system. Her central goal is the implementation of victim care hubs.
These hubs would provide a single, dedicated point of contact, guiding victims through the complex maze of police investigations, Crown Prosecution Service procedures, and court appearances. It’s a lifeline of support designed to empower those who feel lost and overwhelmed.
Waxman recalls a time when victims’ voices were routinely ignored, their concerns dismissed. Agencies were closed off, unwilling to listen to the lived realities of those impacted by crime. She acknowledges a significant change has occurred.
“The doors are very much open now,” she states, expressing pride in the strong working relationships she’s forged with all criminal justice partners, including the judiciary. But the fight for meaningful reform, for a truly victim-centered system, continues.
Waxman believes providing clear information about victims’ rights and the legal process is crucial. Empowering victims with knowledge allows them to navigate the system with confidence and understand what to expect along the way.
