Additional £1.1 million for people impacted by
crime.
More victims of crime are to receive support through a fund
financed by penalties imposed on offenders.
More than £1.1 million from the Victim Surcharge Fund (VSF) will
be shared among 12 organisations that support those impacted by
crime.
Child victims, rape survivors and those who have suffered
domestic abuse are among those who will receive support. This can
include help with essentials like food and clothing, repairs for
property damaged as a result of crime, and emotional support.
More than 5,000 people have already benefitted from the VSF since
it was set up in 2019 and this fifth round of payments will mean
hundreds more will receive support.
Under the scheme, offenders who receive a court fine after being
convicted of a crime are charged an additional penalty – the
victim surcharge. This is transferred to the VSF and
distributed to organisations who support victims. Including this
payment round, a total
of £2,446,787 has been paid to 18
victim support organisations.
Victims Minister said:
“The impact of crime on victims can be devastating – it can cause
financial hardship, damage to property and ongoing trauma, and it
is absolutely right that offenders should pay to support victims
to recover. The Victim Surcharge Fund has already benefitted more
than 5,000 victims and hundreds more will be supported with the
distribution of more than £1.1 million in this latest round of
payments.
“The Victim Surcharge Fund builds on the Scottish Government's
wider support for victims. We have invested £93 million to
support victims in the past five years, while taking a series of
other actions to ensure victims are placed at the heart of the
justice system. This includes a significant package of reform
proposed in the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill to
ensure victims are treated with compassion and their voices are
heard.”
Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland,
said:
"This funding will be instrumental in expanding access to our
Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) to as many people impacted by
crime as possible, helping them to rebuild their
lives.
"So far, we have supported thousands of people through
the EAF, providing critical help to people who are in urgent need
of financial aid – providing funding for things like emergency
housing, security equipment, clothing and groceries.
"With this new funding, we have the chance to reach even more
people who have been affected by crime and explore options to
develop our offering, including supporting access to mental
health services. This funding will also benefit those supported
by many of our specialist partner organisations,
like Action Against Stalking and ASSIST."
Dot Horne, Director of 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, which
supports young victims of crime through their Cairn service,
said:
“We are delighted to be successful recipients from this round of
the Victim Surcharge Fund. This funding will allow us to respond
quickly to the immediate, practical needs of children and young
people affected by crime.
“Additionally, it provides an opportunity to offer financial
support for victims to access positive activities that can help
ease the difficult times that young people may be facing.”
Background
The following organisations will benefit from the Victim
Surcharge Fund in this round:
- Victim Support
Scotland
£850,000
- Women's Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire
£31,800
- Migrant
Help
£73,985
- Dunbarton District Women's
Aid
£13,500
- The Moira
Fund
£14,500
- Survivors of Human Trafficking in
Scotland)
£27,465
- Jubilee
House
£10,000
- Dundee Women's Hub (Women's Rape And Sexual Abuse
Centre) £10,000
- 6VT Edinburgh City Youth
Café
£5,000
- Action Against Stalking
£16,000
- Central Advocacy Partners
£5,000
-
AberNecessities
£67,100
-
Total
£1,124,350
