European e-Justice Portal

Victims' Rights in Scotland

As a victim of crime you have rights.

You have the right to use victim support services even if the crime has not been reported to the police. Such services can provide practical and emotional support to victims of crime.

The Victims' Code for Scotland sets out your rights, how to exercise them and who to contact for help and advice. It includes information on your:

Right to minimum standards of service - how you'll be treated by criminal justice organisations
Right to information - how you'll be updated about your case and what you can ask about
Right to participation - being understood, understanding what's happening and telling the court how a crime has affected you
Right to protection and protection of privacy - feeling safe and protected from intimidation
Right to support - whether you report the crime to the police or not
Right to compensation and expenses - such as travel expenses, loss of earnings or compensation if you were injured.
Information on the release of an offender (VIctim Notification Scheme)
Support for Vulnerable Individuals in Court (Special Measures)

You also have a right to complain if you're unhappy about how an organisation has treated you.

Visit mygov.scot to find out more about your rights as a victim of crime at the different steps of the criminal justice process, including reporting a crime, investigation and prosecution, if a case goes to court and what happens after the verdict.

You can also read about help and support for victims of crime.

Click on the links below to find the information that you need

1 - My rights as a victim of crime

2 - Reporting a crime and my rights during the investigation or trial

3 - My rights after trial

4 - Compensation

5 - My rights to support and assistance

Last update: 17/05/2019

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Victims' rights - by country

Victims' Rights in Scotland