Victims of crime will receive improved support, advice and
information as part of planned reforms to the Victim Notification
Scheme (VNS).
Under proposed changes to the scheme – which entitles victims or
close relatives of victims to certain information about the
person responsible for the crime – a new Victim Contact Team will
be set up to give personalised support to victims, based on their
individual needs.
Victims will automatically be referred to the team for a
trauma-informed discussion about their options for registering
for the VNS and for an explanation of their rights. The amount of
information available to victims about the offender(s), which
includes information about their release, will also be expanded.
The Scottish Government will introduce the reforms as part of its
response to recommendations in the Independent Review of the
Victim Notification Scheme, which heard directly from victims
about their experiences of the justice system and the VNS. Recent
experiences with how the VNS operated in relation to measures to
manage the prison population have also informed the response to
the Review.
The Scottish Government has agreed the majority of the Review's
recommendations, including the central proposal of creating a
Victim Contact Team, with plans developed following discussions
with justice and victim support organisations. Legislation to
underpin the creation of the Contact Team will be progressed
through the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland)
Bill, which is continuing its passage through Parliament.
Victims Minister said:
“These reforms will put the needs of victims firmly at the heart
of the Notification Scheme. By increasing the information
available to victims, improving communication across justice
agencies and making the system more accountable, we can ensure
the scheme continues to be as effective and trusted as possible.
“We have already begun work to implement the Independent Review's
recommendations, including to create a Victim Contact Team to
provide personalised support for victims. Each victim has
different needs that deserve to be handled sensitively and
victims will automatically be referred to the team, who will
explain their rights and provide support.
“This is a priority for the Scottish Government and we will use
the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill already
progressing through Parliament to ensure the reforms are taken
forward at pace.
“I am grateful to all those who shared their experiences during
the Independent Review, particularly victims and their families.
We will continue to listen to their voices as we continue
strengthening support for them and progress these latest reforms
to the Victim Notification Scheme.”
VNS Independent Review Chair Alastair MacDonald and Vice Chair
Fiona Young said:
“The agreement to establish a Victim Contact Team to help victims
understand what information they may receive and to get that
information in a way that helps them is welcome. It is hoped that
implementation of other recommendations will also be
prioritised.”
Ann Fehilly, of domestic abuse court advocacy service ASSIST,
said:
“ASSIST has long advocated for the Victim Notification Scheme to
be victim-centred, trauma-informed and responsive to the needs of
victims.
“We welcome the Scottish Government's acceptance of almost all of
the Review recommendations and look forward to working
collaboratively with them to put into effect the plan. We are
pleased that choice for victims is at the heart of the process,
alongside a commitment to work with organisations which support
victims to access the right information timeously. It is crucial
that victims of domestic abuse are kept informed to ensure they
are safe from further harm.”
Background
Scottish Government
response to the Independent Review of the Victim Notification
Scheme
Victim Notification
Scheme: Independent Review
The Independent Review made recommendations in relation to the
three victim notification/information schemes. In the Independent
Review and the Scottish Government response, the term VNS refers
to all three schemes, unless otherwise specified.
Victim notification/information schemes:
- the VNS provides victims of offenders sentenced to more than
18 months' imprisonment with the right to certain information
(such as when an offender is released) and in some cases with the
right to make representations when a decision is being made to
release an offender on licence
- the Compulsion Order and Restriction Order VNS provides
victims of offenders subject to a Compulsion Order and
Restriction Order with similar rights to information, and to
making representations
- the Victim Information Scheme is available for victims of
offenders who are sentenced to less than 18 months' imprisonment.
The planned reforms will be implemented in partnership with
victim support organisations and justice agencies. The Scottish
Government will produce an annual report to review progress of
the key VNS reforms.
Victim Notification
Scheme: guidance for victims of crime
