Criminals Fund Support for Victims wi £1.1 Million Boost

Mair nor 12 organisations dedicated tae aidin victims o crime are set tae benefit fae a significant fundin boost o ower £1.1 million, soorced fae penalties imposed on offenders. Iss initiative, pairt o the Victim Surcharge Fund (VSF), aims tae provide essential support tae thae affected by crime, includin bairn victims, survivors o sexual assault, an individuals facin domestic abuse.

Syne its inception in 2019, e VSF has aaready assisted ower 5,000 victims, an iss latest roond o fundin promises tae extend aat rax even further. Offenders aat incur court fines are subject tae an additional penalty kent as e victim surcharge, fit is then allocated tae the VSF. Tae date, e fund has distributed a total o £2,446,787 tae various victim support organisations.

Victims Minister Siobhian Brown emphasised e profoond impact crime can hae on individuals, statin, “It can cause financial hardship, damage tae property, an ongaan trauma. It is absolutely richt aat offenders should pey tae support victims tae recover.” She heilichted e Scottish Government’s commitment, notin aat £93 million has bin invested in victim support ower e past five years.

Amang e organisations receivin fundin are Victim Support Scotland, aat will receive £850,000, an Women’s Aid Sooth Lanarkshire an East Renfrewshire, aat will receive £31,800. ither recipients include Migrant Help, Dunbarton District Women’s Aid, an e Moira Fund, amang ithers. Ilka organisation will eese e funds tae provide critical services sic as emergency hoosin, claes, an emotional support.

Kate Wallace, Chief Executive o Victim Support Scotland, remairked on e importance o this fundin, statin, “Iss fundin will be instrumental in expandin access tae oor Emergency Assistance Fund tae as mony fowk impacted by crime as possible.” E Emergency Assistance Fund has aaready provided urgent financial aid for necessities like hoosin an groceries.

Dot Horne, Director o 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, expressed gratitude for e fundin, aat will allou thaim tae swiftly address e needs o young victims. “Iss fundin will allou us tae respond quickly tae the immediate, practical needs o bairns an young fowk affected by crime,” she said.

Wi iss latest allocation, e Victim Surcharge Fund continues tae play a vital role in supportin fowk aat hae suffered due tae criminal acts, ensurin aat help is available for healin an recovery.