Support for families bereaved by crime
Here to help when you’ve been bereaved by crime
Coping with the trauma of losing a family member to murder or culpable homicide involves a range of emotions and practical challenges, and Victim Support Scotland is here to provide you with compassionate help.
Through our specialist Support for Families Bereaved by Crime (SFBC) service, you will be assigned a dedicated key support worker who will be with you every step of the way. The SFBC team is a specially trained service to help families bereaved by murder and culpable homicide. It is a National Service, and our support can be accessed at any time, regardless of when the crime happened, and support is based entirely on your own needs.
Our team supports families in the following ways:
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Practical Support – Assisting with immediate practical tasks after death such as funeral, accessing financial support and how to contact agencies. We can help make sure you feel safe.
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Emotional Support – Providing a safe and confidential space to talk. We are not counsellors but are trained in trauma support. We have access to support for children as well as resources to help with their grief.
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Advocacy – Providing and accessing information where possible through Police, Court and agencies. Empowering you to have your voice heard. We provide consistent support throughout the criminal justice process.
Accessible across Scotland, our support is designed to meet your individual needs. You have the choice in how we support you, whether that's through in-person meetings, on the phone or online.
Regardless of when the crime occurred, we encourage you to reach out when you're ready.
How to access support
If you're a direct family member, your Police Scotland Family Liaison Officer or Victim Information and Advice can refer you to us. Alternatively, you can:
- Self-refer or refer someone else by calling our National Helpline on 0800 160 1985
- Fill out a self-referral form
For further information:
- Call the SFBC directly on 0141 260 5943,
- Email sfbc@victimsupportsco.org.uk.
Bereaved by crime abroad
The SFBC team can also support people living in Scotland who have lost a family member abroad, or who are living abroad and have lost someone in Scotland.
In collaboration with the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, we provide emotional and practical support, addressing various needs. We can offer emotional and practical support, such as funding accommodation, providing information and help returning your loved one's body home.
Even if you don't seek support immediately, it remains available whenever you're ready.
Road incident organisations
If you've lost a loved one in a road incident, specialist organisations like SCID and BRAKE offer additional support. BRAKE's resources for bereaved families after a road death in Scotland can be found here.
Helpline
0800 160 1985
Call our free support helpline from 8am – 8pm Mon-Fri, and 10am – 4pm Sat-Sun
Chat with us
Chat with our free support helpline from 8am – 8pm Mon-Fri, 10am – 4pm Sat-Sun