Criminals pay towards helping victims
A fund which helps provide practical help to victims of crime has reopened for applications. Open to any organisation that supports victims of crime, the Victim Surcharge Fund is used to provide direct, practical help to victims.
Help such as meeting household repair costs that have arisen due to crime, or food, utility or clothing expenses for those escaping domestic abuse can be met with help from the Fund.
The Fund – which operates through a scheme which takes cash from criminals – has £165,000 available in this round.
Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “It is absolutely right that criminals should pay towards helping victims of crime as they recover from their experience.
“The Victim Surcharge Fund demonstrates a key commitment to putting victims first with key organisations being awarded vital funding to support victims.
“I encourage victim support organisations to apply to the Fund so that victims can continue to access the support and help that they need.”
CEO of Victim Support Scotland, Kate Wallace said: “For many people that have come through crime, having access to funds when they need it most can be life changing.
“Covering costs for emergency accommodation, food and clothing are just some of the ways that funding can be used. The Victim Surcharge Fund has enabled us to reach even more victims who are facing financial adversity through no fault of their own.”
From November 2019, anyone committing a crime that results in a court fine is charged an additional penalty – the victim surcharge. This cash from criminals accumulates in the Victim Surcharge Fund.
Following the first round of funding, five organisations that support victims of crime shared £157,000 earlier this year.
Victims organisations interested in applying to the Fund can request an application form by emailing VictimSurchargefund@gov.scot and should apply by the 14 January 2022 deadline.