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Victims' rights - by country

Scotland

Content provided by:
Scotland

Scottish Government Criminal Justice Directorate

Victim Support Scotland

Victim Information and Advice

Rape Crisis Scotland

Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline

Scottish Women’s Aid

National Association for People Abused in Childhood

PETAL (People Experiencing Trauma and Loss)

Support after murder and manslaughter

Scottish Government Criminal Justice Directorate

The Scottish Government Criminal Justice Directorate is responsible for the overall lead on policy on criminal justice and victim and witness care.

The Scottish Government Criminal Justice Directorate

CONTACTS:

Website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/law/victims-witnesses/victims-of-crime

Victim Support Scotland

Victim Support Scotland is a national charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected across by crime.

Victim Support Scotland

  • has offices across Scotland managed by the national centre in Edinburgh
  • runs the Witness Service in every Sheriff and High Court
  • provides emotional and practical support to victims of crime
  • provides support to prosecution and defence witnesses in all criminal courts
  • speaks out as a national voice for victims and witnesses and campaign for change
  • runs a national telephone helpline - 0800 160 1985

CONTACTS:

Website: http://www.victimsupportsco.org.uk/

For the contact details of the local offices of Victim Support Scotland click here.

Victim Information and Advice

Victim Information and Advice (VIA) provide a service to certain victims, witnesses and nearest relatives of specific crimes reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Victim Information and Advice (VIA)

  • provide a service to victims and witnesses of crimes reported to the Procurator Fiscal which involve: domestic abuse; racial or religious aggravation; sexual offences; child victims and witnesses; crimes where any trial is likely to involve a jury
    • assist the nearest relatives in cases of deaths which may involve criminal proceedings, or where there is to be a Fatal Accident Inquiry or significant further inquiries
    • assist vulnerable witnesses or victims who may need additional support (because of, for example, language, circumstances or disabilities)
    • VIA staff will contact you if you fall within one of these categories; if you do not want to receive the VIA service or if you want to opt in or out at any time, just let VIA know

CONTACTS:

Website: http://www.copfs.gov.uk/involved-in-a-case/victims

Rape Crisis Scotland

The Rape Crisis Scotland provides support for anyone affected by rape or sexual violence. They can also put you in touch with your nearest local service.

Rape Crisis Scotland

  • is the national office for the rape crisis movement in Scotland
  • supports the work of local centres and develops new centres in areas where there are no or few specialist services
  • works with other agencies such as the police, Crown Office and health services to improve the response to those who are affected by and who perpetrate sexual violence
  • campaigns, lobbies and raises awareness of sexual violence, challenges attitudes and presses for legal change
  • maintains the Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline (0808 801 03 02) providing crisis support for anyone in Scotland affected by sexual violence at any time in their lives

CONTACTS:

Website: http://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk//

Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline

The Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline (0800 0271234 - 24 hour line) provides confidential information and support to those affected by domestic abuse.

The Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline

  • provides confidential information and support to those affected by domestic abuse
  • services are free of charge

CONTACTS:

Website: http://www.domesticabuse.co.uk/

Scottish Women’s Aid

Scottish Women’s Aid Federation provides advice, support and safe accommodation for women (and their children) who have been abused mentally, physically and/or sexually by their partner/ex-partner.

Scottish Women’s Aid

  • is the lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse
  • its members are local Women’s Aid groups which provide specialist services to women, children and young people, including safe refuge accommodation, information and support
  • works to end violence against women by tackling its root cause, which is gender inequality
  • promotes women’s equality and children’s rights
  • campaigns for responses which actively prevent violence against women
  • works to ensure that services are available to women, young people and children with experience of domestic abuse
  • provides services and advice to members

CONTACTS:

Website: http://www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk/

National Association for People Abused in Childhood

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood is a registered charity, based in the UK, providing support and information for people abused in childhood.

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood

  • responds to the distress caused in adulthood by ill treatment and/or neglect in childhood
  • established a national information line and postal service for people requiring advice and information about help available to overcome the continuing impact of childhood abuse in adulthood
  • provides support, training, information and resources to persons and organisations supporting people who have experienced ill treatment and/or neglect in childhood
  • raises public awareness of the continuing impact of childhood abuse in adulthood
  • campaigns to alleviate the impact of child abuse in adulthood

CONTACTS:

Website: http://www.napac.org.uk/

PETAL (People Experiencing Trauma and Loss)

PETAL provides practical and emotional support, advocacy, group support and counselling for the families and friends of homicide murder and suicide victims in Scotland.

PETAL

  • is a pro-active support centre providing practical and emotional support, advocacy, support and counselling for the families and friends, children and young people victims of homicide or suicide
  • its membership consists of the families and friends of murder and suicide victims
  • services also include telephone support to those outwith/beyond a reasonable travelling distance of PETAL
  • practical support and advocacy is comprehensive through the provision of information and advice and includes liaising with statutory and voluntary agencies on their members' behalf

CONTACTS:

Website: http://www.petalsupport.com/

Support after murder and manslaughter

Support after murder and manslaughter is a registered independent charity, which offers emotional support to those bereaved through homicide.

Support after murder and manslaughter

  • works to promote for the benefit of the public any charitable purpose directed to assisting those who have lost through death resulting from murder, manslaughter or unlawful killing of their relative or friend
  • aims to promote and protect good health, both mental and physical, to relieve poverty and sickness and to advance education in matters of the nature of grieving and bereavement
  • supports, through self-help groups and contact between members, those who have lost a member of their family or close friend as a result of homicide
  • aims to promote good health, both mental and physical, for those bereaved through homicide that they may eventually become strong enough to live positively in the future

CONTACTS:

Website: http://www.samm.org.uk/

Last update: 17/05/2019

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