Victim Support Scotland has released a statement on the Scottish Government’s plans for reform of the Victim Notification Scheme.

Full statement:

“We welcome the long-awaited response to recommendations to the independent review of the Victim Notification Scheme. We have repeatedly said that the current scheme is not fit for purpose, and that an extensive overhaul is required to ensure it is truly trauma-informed. We are grateful to the many victims who took part in the original review and assisted the review team with their original report. We are keen to hear more detail about, and be heavily involved in, an appropriately-funded implementation plan in which victims are prioritised.

“We are heartened by the fact that the Scottish Government has accepted the vast majority of recommendations, and has clearly looked in great detail at how this can and will be implemented.

“Trauma-informed and thoughtful implementation of recommendations aim to put choice and control firmly in the hands of victims of crime. There is significant expertise across many victim support organisations, all willing and able to make this a scheme that meets the needs of victims, improves their outcomes, and fulfils their rights as enshrined in legislation. Using this collective support is critical in ensuring maximisation of resources, against a backdrop of budgetary cuts.

“We have seen the recent impact of prisoner release schemes, and the VNS is one crucial part of keeping victims informed. Victims often tell us that the current VNS is complex and confusing. Consequently, we support all measures taken to make this a simpler process, fully explained in a way and at a time that best suits victims.”