Savannah Guthrie, the face of American morning television, has made a desperate plea for help. Her mother, Nancy Guthrie Shannon, was brutally murdered in 1993. The case remains unsolved. Today, Guthrie has publicly criticised the US justice system for abandoning victims’ families. She points to the UK’s victim support model as a shining example of how things should be done.
For decades, Nancy’s case has haunted the family. No arrest. No closure. Guthrie told reporters that the ‘runaround’ from law enforcement and the lack of emotional and practical support for victims’ relatives is a national disgrace. She is not wrong. In the US, victim support is often fragmented, underfunded and left to charities. Families feel like an afterthought.
Across the Atlantic, the UK has a different approach. Under the Victims’ Code, every victim of crime in England and Wales has a legal right to a range of support services. A dedicated Victims’ Commissioner oversees the system. There are independent advocates to guide families through the criminal justice process. The model is far from perfect, but it is a world away from the American patchwork.
Guthrie’s call comes as the US Congress considers the ‘Savannah’s Law’ bill, which would mandate a national standard of support for families of unsolved homicides. The bill is named after a case that has become a symbol of the justice gap. But critics say the law is toothless without proper funding.
‘It’s not just about solving the crime,’ Guthrie said yesterday. ‘It’s about how we treat the people left behind. The UK shows us what is possible. We are failing our most vulnerable.’
Her words resonate deeply in communities where violence is a daily reality. In Manchester, where I grew up, I have seen the difference that a strong victim support system can make. The local police force here, Greater Manchester Police, has a dedicated victim service that offers counselling, practical help and a single point of contact. It is not perfect, but it is a lifeline.
Back in the US, the disparities are stark. A 2020 report from the National Center for Victims of Crime found that only 13 per cent of violent crime victims receive any form of assistance. For families of unsolved homicides, the number is even lower. The reasons are many: lack of funding, inconsistent policies, and a system that too often views victims as witnesses rather than individuals in trauma.
Guthrie’s advocacy has already forced a national conversation. But words are not enough. She is calling for a federal fund to support local victim services, akin to the UK’s Victims’ Surcharge, which fines offenders and uses the money to support victims. She also wants a national commissioner, like the UK’s role, to hold law enforcement accountable.
The UK model is not without its critics. Some say it is still too bureaucratic and that the legal rights are not always enforced. But compared with the American approach, it is a clear example of what state-backed compassion can look like. Victims’ groups in the US are now studying the UK system closely.
Guthrie’s personal ordeal has become a political battle cry. It is a reminder that justice is not just about convictions. It is about how we treat those who suffer. The UK has shown that a better way is possible. The question is whether America will listen.
