Criminals Made to Pay £1.1M to Support Scottish Victims
More victims of crime in Scotland are set to benefit from additional support, thanks to over £1.1 million allocated through the Victim Surcharge Fund (VSF). This initiative, financed by penalties imposed on convicted offenders, marks a crucial step in helping individuals recover from the financial, emotional, and physical impacts of crime.
The VSF draws its resources from an additional penalty, called the victim surcharge, levied on offenders who are fined by the courts. These funds are redistributed to organisations providing practical and emotional support to victims. To date, the scheme has distributed over £2.4 million across 18 organisations, helping more than 5,000 people since its inception in 2019.
This latest round of funding sees 12 organisations share £1,124,350 to continue their work. From providing essentials like food and clothing to assisting with property repairs and emotional recovery, the funding aims to alleviate the often-overwhelming burden victims face after a crime.
Victims Minister Siobhian Brown praised the initiative:
“The impact of crime on victims can be devastating, it can cause financial hardship, damage to property, and ongoing trauma. It is absolutely right that offenders should pay to support victims to recover.”
The Scottish Government has backed victims with £93 million over the past five years, reinforcing its commitment to place victims at the centre of the justice system. The VSF complements broader reforms proposed in the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill, which aims to ensure victims are treated with compassion and their voices are prioritised.
Victim Support Scotland, one of the largest beneficiaries, received £850,000 from the VSF. Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, highlighted the fund’s importance in expanding the organisation’s Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF):
“With this new funding, we have the chance to reach even more people who have been affected by crime and explore options to develop our offering, including supporting access to mental health services.”
Other organisations like Women’s Aid, Migrant Help, and the 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café also received grants to cater to specific victim groups. These funds will support survivors of domestic abuse, human trafficking, and child victims of crime, ensuring tailored support for those in urgent need.
Dot Horne, Director of 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, shared how the funding will directly impact young victims:
“This funding will allow us to respond quickly to the immediate, practical needs of children and young people affected by crime.”
One of the standout features of the VSF is its flexibility in addressing a wide range of victim needs. The latest funding will support emergency housing, security equipment, groceries, and even access to positive activities, which can help victims regain a sense of normalcy and empowerment.
The fund also supports organisations like Action Against Stalking and AberNecessities, which focus on overlooked or marginalised victims. These targeted efforts highlight the Scottish Government’s intent to leave no one behind.
The concept of making offenders contribute to the recovery of their victims is both practical and symbolic. It reinforces the principle of accountability within the justice system, shifting some of the financial burden away from taxpayers and onto those responsible for the harm.
By turning the financial penalties into tangible support for victims, the VSF sends a message of hope and solidarity. It bridges the gap between justice and recovery, ensuring that victims feel supported not just by the law but by their communities as well.
While the VSF’s success is commendable, challenges remain. The reliance on offender fines means that the fund’s sustainability depends on consistent enforcement and collection of these surcharges. Variability in the number of fines imposed and collected could impact future funding rounds, potentially leaving gaps in support for victims.
Moreover, the fund does not address broader systemic issues, such as ensuring that all victims have access to adequate legal and emotional support from the moment they report a crime.
The VSF aligns with the Scottish Government’s vision for a justice system that is empathetic, restorative, and victim-centred. Beyond financial support, initiatives like the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill aim to embed these principles into Scotland’s legal framework.
Minister Brown’s statement encapsulates this vision:
“Our goal is to ensure that robust and proportionate regulation is introduced to ensure that people who choose to have these procedures, can do so with the confidence they will be safe so please let us know your views.”
The Victim Surcharge Fund represents a positive step in addressing the needs of crime victims, providing practical aid and fostering a sense of justice. However, it must be part of a broader strategy to tackle the root causes of crime and improve the overall experience for victims within the justice system.
