Support groups for victims of crime receive over £400,000 in funding from offenders' penalties

Support organisations for victims of crime have received over £400,000 in funding through penalties imposed on offenders who receive fines.

Through the Victim Surcharge Fund, eight groups that support victims of crime across Scotland have received £405,451 from funding that is generated from the penalties put on offenders who receive court fines.

The fund was established by the Scottish Government in 2019 and the most recent funding represents the fourth round of payments given out, now totalling £1,322,437.

Victim Support Scotland, an independent charity set up to help victims and give information to people affected by crime, have received £300,000 from the fund.

The group also campaign for victim and witness rights and say it has been possible reach more than 1,400 victims and their families through the funding.

Migrant Help, a Glasgow-based charity supporting asylum seekers, refugees and victims of human trafficking and modern slavery received £28,540.

Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland (SOHTIS) were given £20,661 while Action Against Stalking, the only charity in Scotland dedicated exclusively to victims of stalking, received £15,000.

The Moira Fund, which was established in memory of Moira Jones who was murdered in Queens Park, Glasgow in May 2008 and aids those beavered by murder or manslaughter, received £14,500.

Dumbarton District Women’s Aid received £11,750 and The Manda Centre, which supports victim affected by trauma, loss and personal crisis, were given £10,000.

Dundee Women’s Aid also received £5,000 from the most recent round of funding.

Siobhian Brown, victims and community safety minister, said: “I am pleased the fund has provided support to so many people. Since financial awards were first made in January 2021, 14 different victim support organisations have benefited from this fund – all of which have used the money to help people impacted by crime.

“It is only right that the people who commit crimes should pay towards helping those impacted to recover from the trauma and move on with their lives.”

Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said: “Funding to VSS Emergency Assistance Fund made it possible to reach more than 1,400 victims of crime and their families with awards last year totalling over £400,000.

“Too many people face financial hardship as a result of crime, and this funding allows us to cover the costs of essential items such as food vouchers, rent, property repairs, alarms and funeral costs.”