Practical support for victims of crime

Being a victim of crime can lead to all kinds of practical challenges, ranging from dealing with property damage and making insurance claims to life-changing medical problems and overcoming trauma.

These challenges often act as reminders that the crime has taken place, making it harder to move forward. Managing the practical challenges on top of the emotional impact of a crime can be overwhelming. It can be hard to know where to start when finding help as a victim of crime.

We can help. Victim Support Scotland supports you to manage the tasks you may be faced with and make decisions that suit your needs and allow you to move forward after a crime.

How we can help victims of crime

Understanding the criminal justice system
The criminal justice system is complicated, and it can be daunting to navigate your way around it. We can guide you through the system and refer you to specialist agencies if you require support.

Deciding whether to report a crime
If you have not reported the crime but want to discuss the options, we can do this with you. We can also help you report the crime if that’s what you decide.

Keeping you safe
We can help you to feel safe in your home, ensuring that you have taken appropriate steps to make it secure. We can provide you with a personal alarm so that you feel safe at home and on the move.

Accessing other agencies
We can contact people on your behalf such as your GP, housing association and other organisations that may be able to support you. We can refer you to specialist services and accompany you to appointments with other agencies that may be able to assist you. We can explain the justice process, who the organisations and officials are, and what you need to do at each step through the criminal justice process.

Attending court
If you need to attend court, we can arrange an advance visit and show you around a court (when it is not being used for trials) and explain what typically happens on the day so that the surroundings are not unfamiliar when you arrive. This can take some of the nervousness out of attending court.

We can also advise you of any special measures you may qualify for and explain the support we can give you when you attend a trial. This can help make the whole experience less daunting.

Meeting financial costs
Costs associated with a crime can be an extra burden. We may be able to help you to access funds if you are in urgent need immediately following a crime.

Your rights
We can help you to understand and exercise your rights, which by law you are entitled to, as part of the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014.

We also provide emotional support to help you move forward after a crime.