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Vital information now available to victims of crime
26/02/1998
An information leaflet explaining the processes of the Scottish criminal justice system for witnesses and victims of crime was published today as part of a series of events marking European Victims' Week.
The leaflet entitled Reporting a Crime: A Guide for Victims and Witnesses was launched by Henry McLeish, Scottish Office Home Affairs Minister. The leaflet is an initiative of the Victims Steering Group, chaired by The Scottish Office, with representatives from the main criminal justice agencies and Victim Support Scotland.
Speaking at today's launch, Mr McLeish said:
"The key issue for me is to ensure that within the criminal justice system victims are not forgotten. The answer to this lies in an integrated policy. The Victims Steering Group is a prime example of this partnership approach, and the new leaflet will go some way towards addressing past concerns that the victim has been neglected.
"We are a government which is determined to drive forward the agenda on community safety. A great deal is being done - CCTV schemes, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, Sex Offender Orders among others - but there can be no room for complacency. The best way to cut back on the number of victims is to reduce the number of crimes. But while recorded crime is falling we can't ignore the anxiety, fear and emotional harm that victims understandably suffer. That is why we must ensure that victims are given their proper place, and proper recognition, throughout our criminal justice system.
"It is especially appropriate that the leaflet should be published during European Victims' Week. It is vital that victims have access to information about the criminal justice system. The leaflet will be distributed mainly by the police, who are often the first point of contact for victims of crime. I am convinced it will be a valuable tool in making sure that victims do not feel they are forgotten."
BACKGROUND
1. Membership of the Victims Steering Group includes representation from the Sheriffs Association, Crown Office, Scottish Court Service, Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland), Association of Directors of Social Work and Scottish Prison Service.
2. The leaflet will supplement existing information such as leaflets produced by the Crown Office for the use of witnesses, and leaflets available from Victim Support Scotland, and from the police.
3. The leaflet will be distributed by the police, as well as being available in Citizens Advice Bureaux and through Victim Support Scotland.
4. Victim Support Scotland is a founder member of the European Forum for Victim Services, established in 1989. With 18 member organisations from 15 countries, the Forum has three basic aims: to promote the development of effective services for victims of crime throughout Europe; to promote fair and equal compensation for all victims of crime throughout Europe, regardless of the nationality of the victim concerned; and to promote the rights of victims in Europe in their involvement with the criminal justice process and with other agencies. Since 1990, 22 February has marked the European Victims' Day in all the member organisations' countries, this has been extended in recent years to European Victims' Week, allowing more flexibility for member organisations.
News Release: 0375/98
February 26, 1998