Events

What has been happening?

Victims’ Summit

The Victims’ Summit was held on the 17^th January 2011 in Edinburgh. The Summit was chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Mr Kenny MacAskill. The Lord Advocate was also present together with senior representatives from ACPOS, HMICS, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Court Service, Scottish Government, and Inspectorate of the Prosecution Service together with representatives from; Victim Support Scotland, ASSISST, Migrant Helpline, Women’s Aid and Scotland’s Campaign against Irresponsible Drivers.

The basis of the Summit was drawn from the responses the Government obtained to Framework for Action: Better Outcome for Victims. A copy of SCID’s response can be obtained from Margaret.

Mr MacAskill said, “The Scottish Government is determined to build on the work that has already been done to ensure that victims of crime receive justice, protection and appropriate support, and that their legitimate interests and needs are recognised by the criminal justice system.

That's why this summit offers a valuable opportunity to renew and refocus the efforts that are already being made to meet victims' needs, and to ensure we all work better together.”

"To maintain the public's goodwill, it is therefore vital that victims are treated with dignity and respect and are looked on as individuals with a legitimate interest in the case that affects them.''

The summit identified a number of areas to be further examined to improve the Human Rights of victims in the Criminal Justice System. SCID welcomes this imitative by the Government.

When we have further information we will publish it on our website.

Fatal Road Traffic Collision Course 14th Feb 2011

Our sincere thanks to the Solicitor General, Mr Frank Mulholland QC, for inviting SCID to give the Victims’ Perspective to procurators fiscal at the Fatal Road Traffic Collision Course held in Glasgow on 14^th February 2011. We hope that that SCID’s presentation was helpful and received in the spirit to build upon what has already been achieved by the police and the COPFS in the investigation and prosecution of road deaths. We see this course as an ongoing commitment by Crown Office to improving the legitimate rights of victims in the Criminal Justice System. 

Consultations responded to:

Disclosure of Information to Victims of Mentally Disordered Offenders – November 2010
http://scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/08/27104119/0

Civil Law of Damages: Damages for Wrongful Death – August 2010
http://scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/07/06142911/0

Framework for Action: Better Outcomes for Victims – December 2010

Double Jeopardy – January 2011
http://scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/03/22113128/0