Victims

Interest in the needs and rights of victims in the criminal justice system received little attention in the UK until the early 1980s when the first British Crime Survey was published. Since then there has been a growing recognition among academics and policy-makers to acknowledge the effects of crime on victims and the difficult position they face within the criminal justice system. This has led to concerted attempts by governments to address the needs and rights of victims.

The Scottish Government has made a political commitment to modernising the justice system in ways that fully support victims and witnesses of crime. Recent initiatives include a Strategy for Victims and the introduction of the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2004 which includes provisions for victims and vulnerable witnesses.

There is a dedicated Victims and Witnesses Unit within the Scottish Government’s Justice Department, with responsibility for a range of issues relating to victims of crime including: strategic development of policies; information and support services; and the implementation of the victims provisions in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003.  

Victim Support Scotland provides emotional support and practical assistance to all victims of crime. In addition to a Victim Service, they also provide a Witness Service, based in every Sheriff and High court in Scotland and VOYCE (Victims Of Youth CrimE) a service to people in Dundee who have suffered as a consequence of a crime committed by a young person. In addition to its core duties, Victim Support Scotland also undertakes research and policy work, details of which can be found here. There are a number of other organisations which provide support and advice to victims of crime, such as Citizens Advice and PETAL. For links to these and other support agencies visit the Victims of Crime website.  

The Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service within the Procurator Fiscal also provides information and guidance to victims of crime. The Victims of Crime in Scotland website offers further information and links to a range of services and resources. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government agency that can provide financial compensation to people who have been victims of violent crimes.

However, it is worth noting that many people who work with victims find the definition of ‘victim’ used by politicians and researchers problematic; one that ignores the multi-layered and sometimes ambiguous relationship between offender and victim. Policy rarely mentions those crimes that do not have a direct impact on the victim (such as ‘white collar’ and corporate crime) or that some offenders may also be victims. The feminist movement has also been critical of the term on the grounds that the 'passivity and powerlessness' often attributed to victims, is, in turn, usually associated with being female.

The Centre holds a small number of books about victims, details of which can be found here.