The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Support for crime victims

29/09/2003

Victims of youth crime are to be offered access to information about the action being taken against the perpetrator under a new pilot scheme.

The Support and Information for Victims of Youth Crime (SIVYC) Scheme will run in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire for a period of 12 months, with a view to rolling out the project nationally thereafter.

The SIVYC pilot scheme, backed today by Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry, will give the victims of youth crime access to information from the Children's Reporter about specific action being taken in their case. It will also become possible for parents whose child has been the victim of youth crime to gain relevant support and information. Until now no information about hearing cases could be given beyond "a child has been referred to the panel".

Speaking at the launch Hugh Henry said:

"Youth crime is a serious problem that affects communities across Scotland. Those who are victims of it often need to be reassured that the suffering inflicted upon them has been taken seriously and that appropriate action is taken against the perpetrator.

"For too long the justice system and the Children's Hearings system has not been able to respond to the legitimate concerns of victims. No longer.

"The SIVYC scheme will keep victims informed and involved in the justice process and is a central component of our plans to deliver an efficient and effective justice system that is fair for victims and their families.

"We want to implement a national information and support service based on what we hope will be a successful pilot scheme here in the Forth Valley. We will take on board any lessons to be learned before rolling out the scheme nationally.

"With pilot projects such as this, youth courts and a fast-track children's hearing system as well as the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill before Parliament - this Executive is sending a clear signal that Scotland's communities have had enough of the misery caused by youth crime."

Jackie Robeson, SCRA's Head of Practice, said:

"SCRA has been at the heart of the partnership group involved in developing and launching this pilot scheme. Indeed, we have developed it beyond the basic requirements by pro-actively offering information to victims rather than simply responding to their requests for that information.

"We believe that providing victims with specific information about cases - which Children's Reporters have previously been prevented from doing by law - is a significant step forward. SCRA hopes that offering this information will help the victims of young offenders and challenge and change perceptions of the Children's Hearings System."

David McKenna, Chief Executive of Victim SupportScotlandsaid:

"Over the years Victim SupportScotland's services have provided limited support to victims of youth crime who have felt let down and rejected by the justice systems and whose needs have gone unrecognised. This project will transform the experience for victims of young offenders.

"This service will recognise the importance of a victim's role and go someway to increasing public confidence within the youth justice system. We welcome this innovative project and the partnerships that have been created and look forward to witnessing it¹s success over the coming months."

Rosemary Fraser, a volunteer working on the project, said:

"I am delighted to have this opportunity to develop my skills and experience as a volunteer and to expand my knowledge of the youth justice system. I have, in the past, supported a few victims of youth crime who, sadly, were given no information and found it difficult to get closure. Now I feel that being given the opportunity to receive information on their case may help them to move on."

The SIVYC scheme will:

• Grant victims of youth crime access to information from the Children's Reporter about specific action being taken in their case. Where the victim is a child, the child's parent or carer can be granted access to information.
• See Victim Support Scotland granted funding to develop, with partners, information on the youth justice system and to offer advice and counselling services for victims.
• See the Children's Reporter empowered by Order to share information with Victim Support Scotland to better enable them to provide support and advice.

The SIVYC Scheme is set up and run by representatives from the Scottish Executive, Victims Support Scotland, Central Scotland Police, local authorities and the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration.

Mainstream investment in youth justice has doubled in 2003-04 to £10m. in addition, we have allocated over £1.5m to support work with victims and restorative justice through the Youth Crime Prevention Fund.

Around £400,000 will be invested to ensure that the SIVYC scheme works properly for victims and families, to independently evaluate its success and to prepare the way for a phased national rollout.

The Scottish executive is funding Victim Support Scotland to provide information, advice and emotional support by trained volunteers and staff.

The Scottish Executive has funded a co-ordinator post at the Scottish Children's Reporter administration for the duration of the pilot, along with major development to their Referrals Automated Database.