A new streamlined fund worth at least £30 million over the next
three years is being launched to better help victims of crime in
Scotland.
The new Victim Centred Approach Fund will simplify funding for
organisations into one easy-to-access place, providing support
for victims across the country.
The fund forms a central plank of the Scottish Government’s
commitment to putting victims at the heart of the justice system
by improving the range of advice, information and support
available to them.
It will help support specialist services for those bereaved by
crime in Scotland or abroad, provide court advocacy support for
survivors of gender-based violence, fund support and assistance
for victims of human trafficking and enable better long-term
outcomes for victims including improved mental and physical
health.
It will also enable more organisations who support victims to
apply for funding and encourage the development of new projects
and approaches.
The fund will open for applications from third sector
organisations, community interest companies and public sector
bodies, including local authorities, later this month.
Organisations considering applying to the fund are able to
register their interest now.
Justice Secretary said:
“This new streamlined fund will provide joined-up, accessible
support to all victims regardless of where they live in Scotland.
“We want people to feel safer, better informed and have an
improved experience of the justice system which is why – along
with this new fund – we have committed in our Programme for
Government to appointing a Victims’ Commissioner to provide an
independent voice for victims in Scotland.
“We will also review the Victim Notification Scheme to ensure
victims are able to receive timely and compassionate information
on the release of offenders, and provide more opportunities for
victims to tell courts how crime has personally impacted on them.
“Putting victims at the heart of the justice system is a key
priority for this government. This new fund underlines that
commitment and will ensure those with experience of crime are
fully engaged with and supported on their journey to recovery.”
Background
More
information on the Victim Centred Approach Fund and how
to register interest in applying is available on the Scottish
Government website.
The vision and the priorities and outcomes of the new fund are
underpinned by the work of the Victims Taskforce, Equally Safe
and reviews such as those carried out by (Victim Care in the Justice
System, 2017) and Thrive (Transforming Services for Victims and
Witnesses, 2020) as well as input from individuals and families
with lived experience of crime.
The first tranche of Victim Centred Approach Fund awards will run
for three years from April 2022 until the end of March 2025 and
will be worth at least £10 million per year.
