SFBC – supporting families affected by domestic homicide

Being a family member of a murder victim is traumatic. This can be especially difficult if a family member has lost their life due to domestic abuse.

Over the last year, 56% of women murdered were killed by a partner or ex-partner.

Since 2019, our Support for Families Bereaved by Crime service (SFBC) have supported a number of families throughout Scotland who have lost a family member to domestic homicide.

SFBC help families to understand their emotional reactions and physical symptoms, as well as helping them to access financial support.

Victim Support Scotland’s team members support families and next of kin with immediate practical tasks including access to financial assistance, contacting organisations and arranging a funeral. We provide timely, consistent information when you need it.  We will listen to you when you need to talk, and provide links to specialist services such as counselling or trauma therapy.

With many domestic homicides, there are children who have also lost a parent or close family member. SFBC recently launched their Parent and Carer Guide to help parents and carers to navigate caring for a child or young person who has been affected by a traumatic death.

Alongside the Parent and Carer Guide, we have developed a specialist bereavement resources guide for families we are working with. This guide contains a number of carefully chosen items to help support children and young people affected by murder or culpable homicide. These include grief journals, toys, and sensory items to reduce stress. You can access both documents by clicking the download button below.

SFBC is there for anyone who has been bereaved by crime, regardless of when the crime has taken place. Our support can help you to navigate the justice system, so you know what to expect and ensure you are aware of your rights.

We offer face-to-face meetings in a location which is convenient for you and will travel Scotland-wide to provide support.

If you are a direct family member, you may have contact with Police Scotland’s Family Liaison Officers or Victim Information and Advice (based in the courts) who can refer you to our service. When we hear from them, we will make contact and arrange to see you as soon as possible.

You can also refer yourself, or make a referral on behalf of someone else, directly to the service by accessing our National Helpline on 0800 160 1985, contact us online or email at sfbc @victimsupportsco.org.uk.