This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish Strategy for Victims progress report
29/11/2004
A progress report on the
Scottish
Strategy for Victims was published today. The report sets out what has
been done over the last 18 months to improve information
and support for victims, and the opportunities for them to
have their voice heard within the criminal justice
system.
The
Scottish Strategy for Victims was launched
in January 2001 and this is the second progress report.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said:
"The report shows that a great deal has been achieved by
many organisations, working hard together, to meet the
information and support needs of victims. This partnership
approach is the key to the successful delivery of services
for victims and I would like to thank all those whose
dedication and commitment over the last few years has
brought about the improvements set out in this report.
"However, we can and must do more to build on these
achievements, further improve services for the victims of
crime and ensure that their needs are met. That is why we
have embarked on a systematic review of the Strategy which
will take account of the changes that have been introduced
since its launch in 2001 and recommend what further work
can be done to improve information and support for victims
and their families.
"While the number of victims of crime is relatively
small, the fear of crime in Scotland remains very real and
we cannot underestimate the impact which this has. We are
determined to better protect the majority of law-abiding,
hardworking Scots from the law-breaking few who blight
their lives and communities, and will shortly be revealing
new measures to tackle their offending behaviour and make
our communities safer as part of our Criminal Justice
Plan."
Key points of progress for victims in Scotland:
- During 2003-2004 the Scottish Executive provided
funding totalling more than £6 million for victim and
witness services. This included £3.3 million for
Victim Support Scotland to deliver local victim support
services and the court-based Witness Service; and £1.3
million for the Victim Information and Advice (VIA)
service.
- The Crown Office and Procurator
Fiscal Service (COPFS) extended the Victim Information
and Advice (VIA) service to all 11 Procurator Fiscal
areas and 20 district offices. This service offers
case specific information and advice to victims of
certain crimes and to vulnerable witnesses, gives
information on legal procedures and offers victims the
chance to discuss issues that concern them.
- The Vulnerable Witnesses
(Scotland) Act 2004 was passed. The Act allows child
and adult vulnerable witnesses to benefit from a number
of special measures and other provisions aimed at
helping them give their best evidence. Implementation
of the Act will be phased, beginning in spring 2005
with child witnesses in High Court, sheriff court
solemn cases and Children's Hearings court
procedures.
- Guidance was published in June
2004, on providing restorative warnings from the police
to help deal with youth offending. This will ensure
that victims are kept informed of progress and action
taken against young offenders.
- A pilot Victim Statement scheme gives
victims of certain crimes or their families the chance
to submit a written statement to the court about the
impact - physical, emotional and financial - that the
crime has had on them. The pilot scheme is running in
Ayr, Edinburgh and Kilmarnock Sheriff Courts and in the
High Court in Edinburgh and on circuit at Kilmarnock.
The decision whether to roll out the scheme across
Scotland will be subject to Parliamentary approval and
informed by the results of an evaluation of the pilots,
which will be completed around spring 2006.
The progress report was also welcomed by Neil Paterson
the Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland who
said:
"The Scottish Strategy for Victims has significantly
improved the treatment of victims and witnesses in the
Criminal Justice System. The update shows the wide range
of initiatives which are now in place delivered in
partnership by Government, statutory organisations and the
voluntary sector."
The review of the Strategy should be complete early in
2005.