Tag: support for victims of crime

Further support for victims of crime

Victim Surcharge Fund opens for new applications

Organisations that support victims of crime can apply for a share of more than £700,000 from a fund financed by penalties imposed on offenders.

More than 5,000 people have benefited from the Victim Surcharge Fund (VSF) since it was set up in 2019, with over £2.4 million awarded to 18 organisations.

Support for victims can include help with essentials like food and clothing, repairs for property damaged as a result of crime, and emotional support.

The fund has now opened for applications for the sixth time.

Victims Minister Siobhian Brown said: “We know the impact of crime can be traumatic and it is absolutely right that offenders should be made to pay towards supporting victims.

“The additional support offered through the Victim Surcharge Fund is vital and allows support organisations to provide quick and practical help to victims and their relatives, covering costs, for example of emergency accommodation, food and clothing.

“Although recorded crime is down significantly over the long term, I recognise that this is of little comfort for victims, which is why we will continue to put their needs at the heart of the criminal justice system.

“The Victim Surcharge Fund builds on our wider support which includes a significant package of reform proposed in the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill to ensure those impacted by crime are treated with compassion and their voices heard.”

Michelle Herd, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Abernecessites, which has received funds from the Victim Surcharge Fund to support families fleeing domestic abuse said: “Feedback from the professionals we work with highlights the critical role of our service in preventing survivors from returning to abusive situations and addressing their concerns for their children’s well-being.

“We have provided essentials such as clothing, school uniforms, shoes, bedding, storage units along with beds, kitchen essentials and white goods which were vital to enable families to move into a safe property or make their place of refuge homely. Having the basic essentials, even as simple as a child’s favourite toy that has been left behind can have a huge impact on the whole family.”

The victim surcharge came into force in November 2019 and applies to those who commit an offence and are subsequently convicted and receive a court fine. Such offenders are charged an additional penalty – the victim surcharge. 

This is transferred to the VSF and distributed to organisations to supplement and enhance support for victims.

The sixth round of applications for the VSF is now open. Organisations can request an application form by emailing VictimSurchargefund@gov.scot and should apply by 4 August 2025

Improved support for crime victims

New Victim Contact Team to be set up

Victims of crime will receive improved support, advice and information as part of planned reforms to the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS).

Under proposed changes to the scheme – which entitles victims or close relatives of victims to certain information about the person responsible for the crime – a new Victim Contact Team will be set up to give personalised support to victims, based on their individual needs.

Victims will automatically be referred to the team for a trauma-informed discussion about their options for registering for the VNS and for an explanation of their rights. The amount of information available to victims about the offender(s), which includes information about their release, will also be expanded.

The Scottish Government will introduce the reforms as part of its response to recommendations in the Independent Review of the Victim Notification Scheme, which heard directly from victims about their experiences of the justice system and the VNS. Recent experiences with how the VNS operated in relation to measures to manage the prison population have also informed the response to the Review.

The Scottish Government has agreed the majority of the Review’s recommendations, including the central proposal of creating a Victim Contact Team, with plans developed following discussions with justice and victim support organisations. Legislation to underpin the creation of the Contact Team will be progressed through the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, which is continuing its passage through Parliament.

Victims Minister Siobhian Brown said: “These reforms will put the needs of victims firmly at the heart of the Notification Scheme. By increasing the information available to victims, improving communication across justice agencies and making the system more accountable, we can ensure the scheme continues to be as effective and trusted as possible.

“We have already begun work to implement the Independent Review’s recommendations, including to create a Victim Contact Team to provide personalised support for victims. Each victim has different needs that deserve to be handled sensitively and victims will automatically be referred to the team, who will explain their rights and provide support.

“This is a priority for the Scottish Government and we will use the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill already progressing through Parliament to ensure the reforms are taken forward at pace.

“I am grateful to all those who shared their experiences during the Independent Review, particularly victims and their families. We will continue to listen to their voices as we continue strengthening support for them and progress these latest reforms to the Victim Notification Scheme.”

VNS Independent Review Chair Alastair MacDonald and Vice Chair Fiona Young said: “The agreement to establish a Victim Contact Team to help victims understand what information they may receive and to get that information in a way that helps them is welcome.

“It is hoped that implementation of other recommendations will also be prioritised.”

Ann Fehilly, of domestic abuse court advocacy service ASSIST, said: “ASSIST has long advocated for the Victim Notification Scheme to be victim-centred, trauma-informed and responsive to the needs of victims.

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s acceptance of almost all of the Review recommendations and look forward to working collaboratively with them to put into effect the plan.

“We are pleased that choice for victims is at the heart of the process, alongside a commitment to work with organisations which support victims to access the right information timeously. It is crucial that victims of domestic abuse are kept informed to ensure they are safe from further harm.”