Victim Support given funding for new homicide service

Victim Support Scotland has been given funding to develop a new service to support families of victims of homicide.

The charity has been awarded £13.8m over three years, part of which will provide for a homicide service giving bereaved families access to a dedicated case worker and continuous support.

Working with partners to streamline points of contact, improve information flow and ensure support through the criminal justice system, it will reduce the need for victims to have to retell their story to several different organisations as they seek help.

Announcing the funding, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “I am aware that victims and their families often have to turn to multiple organisations to get information about the criminal justice process and find out what support they are entitled to receive. This can feel like they are being passed from one organisation to another – adding to their trauma when they are most vulnerable.

“I want to improve the situation and that is why I am announcing funding for VSS to work in partnership with criminal justice and victim support bodies to develop a new approach. Along with the homicide service it will ease the journey for victims and their families, whether or not they engage with the criminal justice process.”

Kate Wallace, chief executive of VSS commented: “We’re delighted with the shift to three-year funding which provides us with greater long-term stability to enhance the front-line support we provide for people affected by crime. The creation of the homicide service and the victim-centred approach are also very positive new developments and we will be working closely with all our partners to make these a reality.”