Written Question · S5W-30105 · Session 5
whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice will meet the family of the late Michelle Stewart to discuss progress towards strengthening vict…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice will meet the family of the late Michelle Stewart to discuss progress towards strengthening victims’ rights and support, including increasing transparency and extending the opportunity for people affected by crime to have their voices heard.
The answer
We continue to take forward a range of initiatives to strengthen victims’ rights and ensure support and information is available to them. The Victims Taskforce is leading the development of a victim-centred approach to put victim’s needs at the heart of the justice process and provide more compassionate and trauma-informed support at every stage. The Taskforce is also directly informed by victims’ voices and experiences through the work of reference groups set up by Rape Crisis Scotland and Victim Support Scotland. All Taskforce papers, including a detailed work plan, have been published on the Scottish Government website https://www.gov.scot/groups/victims-taskforce/
We are investing £18.7 million during 2020-2021 to support victims of crime, including funding for victims’ organisations who provide practical and emotional support. This includes increasing Victim Support Scotland’s victims fund to £100,000 to help meet immediate financial needs of the most vulnerable victims. We’re also investing in specialised services for families bereaved by crime and have consulted on plans to give more victims of serious crimes the right to explain to courts how it has impacted on them.
In addition, since April 2019, under the Victim Notification Scheme, victims of prisoners who are serving a life sentence have been given the opportunity to make representations in person, orally or in writing before any decision is taken on the first occasion that the prisoner is considered for temporary release.
Progress has also been made on parole. We are discussing with the Parole Board options for victims attendance at hearings, improved communications and greater use of electronic monitoring, including GPS technology. We have also recently commenced work to rewrite the Parole Board for Scotland Rules.
The Scottish Government will continue to listen to the lived experiences of victims and their families in helping to shape our victim-centred approach within the justice process. If the Stewart family wish to meet with the Scottish Government again my office can facilitate a meeting.
We are investing £18.7 million during 2020-2021 to support victims of crime, including funding for victims’ organisations who provide practical and emotional support. This includes increasing Victim Support Scotland’s victims fund to £100,000 to help meet immediate financial needs of the most vulnerable victims. We’re also investing in specialised services for families bereaved by crime and have consulted on plans to give more victims of serious crimes the right to explain to courts how it has impacted on them.
In addition, since April 2019, under the Victim Notification Scheme, victims of prisoners who are serving a life sentence have been given the opportunity to make representations in person, orally or in writing before any decision is taken on the first occasion that the prisoner is considered for temporary release.
Progress has also been made on parole. We are discussing with the Parole Board options for victims attendance at hearings, improved communications and greater use of electronic monitoring, including GPS technology. We have also recently commenced work to rewrite the Parole Board for Scotland Rules.
The Scottish Government will continue to listen to the lived experiences of victims and their families in helping to shape our victim-centred approach within the justice process. If the Stewart family wish to meet with the Scottish Government again my office can facilitate a meeting.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-30105 by reference.