New Victims’ Fund launches amidst Coronavirus outbreak
Victims of crime will be supported through financial hardship, thanks to a new Fund that has been set up through Victim Support Scotland.
Launched in April 2020, the Victims’ Fund is a boost to the already existing financial package that is available to victims.
The Scottish Government has increased the size of the fund for the new financial year by £70,000, meaning that £100,000 in total is available for paying for goods and services to victims and their families.
People affected by crime will be able to access assistance worth up to £3,000.
The Fund is open to any victim of any crime who is resident in Scotland currently accessing victim and other support services. It is also available for people who live outside of Scotland who have been bereaved by a crime that has occurred within Scotland.
Victim Support Scotland has said the Fund will operate on the basis that there is an urgent identified need, no other organisation can meet this need, and the crime must have been reported to the Police of other organisation.
Third sector organisations can apply for the Fund on behalf of victims that they are supporting.
Kate Wallace, CEO of Victim Support Scotland, comments:
“We believe that this is a hugely positive step in putting victims first during a time of great uncertainty.
“It’s an unfortunate reality that some people that have experienced crime find themselves in financial hardship and therefore this Fund can support in covering costs such as food and other basic necessities, repairing and replacing damaged items, and rent deposits.
“We hope that the Victims’ Fund will help make a substantial difference to the lives of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people during the pandemic.”
Find out more details about the Victims’ Fund.
Latest news and blogs
-
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 Debate
At Wednesday’s debate on Stage 3 of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill, we’re asking members of the Criminal Justice Committee to consider the rights of victims who are harmed by 16 and 17-year-olds. Read our briefing to MSPs.
Read more
-
Remote evidence suites
Victim Support Scotland receives £500,000 funding from Scottish Government for specialist remote evidence suites
Read more
-
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Stage 1 debate
At today’s debate on Stage 1 of the Victim’s, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, we’re asking members of the Criminal Justice Committee to keep victims’ views at the heart of their decision-making. Read our briefing to MSPs:
Read more
-
Victims’ charity seeks support to uphold victims’ rights
Victim Support Scotland, Scotland’s leading national charity for victims, is urging MSPs to consider victim support and information needs in the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill as the debate of Stage 3 of the Bill approaches on 24 April.
Read more
-
Join Victim Support Scotland as a charity Trustee
Are you an exceptional leader, ambitious for change to improve victims’ and witnesses’ experiences of the criminal justice system? Leading charity VSS is looking for high calibre and committed professionals to join our Board of Trustees.
Read more
-
The importance of feedback
We always seek to hear from individuals affected by crime about their experiences with our services. This is crucial to ongoing learning and improvement within our work and in informing others about how our support can make a difference. We particularly encourage those who have experienced harm caused by children and young people under 18 to share their views.
Read more
-
Minister goes to court to learn about services for victims and witnesses
As part of Victims’ Awareness Week, Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown visited Edinburgh Sheriff Court for a familiarisation visit.
Read more
-
Bex’s story
Read more
-
Campaign launches to support more victims of crime – press release
Read more
-
Student Volunteering Week – Priya’s story
Read more
-
Student Volunteering Week – Anna’s story
Read more
-
Victim support organisations sign open letter calling for anonymity for children who die as a result of crime
Read more
Whoever you are and whatever the crime, we’re here to help
-
Call our free helpline | Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm
0800 160 1985 -
Help near you
Enter town or postcode:
-
Request support
Complete our form