This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Support for victims in Highlands
10/10/2003
Support for victims of crime has been bolstered today with the opening of the Inverness Victim Information and Advice (VIA) office.
VIA, part of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), will provide a dedicated service offering information and advice to victims of crime, bereaved next-of-kin and vulnerable witnesses.
Opening the office, Robert Gordon, the Chief Executive of the COPFS, said:
"VIA's introduction is part of a wider programme of modernisation and reform of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. One of the main objectives of this reform is a prosecution service that is responsive to the public's needs and communicates openly and effectively. I believe the service provided by the VIA offices demonstrates we are well on the road to achieving that aim."
The introduction of the service in Inverness is part of a Scotland-wide initiative that aims to be the most significant practical development in assisting victims of crime for over 20 years.
Area Procurator Fiscal for the Highland and Islands, Graeme Napier said:
"We recognise that the criminal justice system is complex and dealing with it can be distressing for victims, bereaved relatives and vulnerable witnesses and we have been working with existing support services, including Victim Support and the Court Witness Service. VIA fills a major gap in the provision of assistance to victims by guiding them through the prosecution system and offering information and advice to those who need it most.
"Staff at VIA Inverness will be able to provide updates on the progress of specific cases and explain the overall process. The information and advice staff offer will recognise the diversity and different needs of the people with whom we deal. VIA Inverness are already working closely with local criminal justice agencies to offer a high-quality service that takes account of the needs of each individual."
Procurators Fiscal in Inverness will refer appropriate victims of serious crimes, bereaved relatives and vulnerable witnesses to the local VIA team for cases from 03 November 2003.
The principal aims of VIA are:
to inform and advise victims, bereaved next of kin and some witnesses about the criminal justice process in general
to provide information about the progress of the case that affects them in particular
to inform and advise victims and bereaved next of kin about support services
to facilitate referral to other agencies for specialist support and counselling as required.
The VIA service is provided to individual victims or to groups of individual victims but not usually to organisations or legal persons. For example, cases involving fraud against a large organisation will not be referred but fraud perpetrated against an individual victim (for instance, bogus workman cases) or against a small business may be.
The main categories are:
victims in all serious cases, where the nature of the charge(s) will be indicative of proceedings before a jury
the next of kin in cases involving deaths where criminal proceedings are possible and death cases where a Fatal Accident Inquiry is to be held
the next of kin in all cases where there were likely to be or it becomes clear after initial investigation that there will be significant further inquiries, or where, in all the circumstances, it is considered that the assistance of VIA would be appropriate.
victims in cases of domestic abuse
victims in cases with a racial aggravation and cases where it is known to the Procurator Fiscal that the victim perceives the offence to be racially motivated.
cases involving child witnesses
victims in cases involving sexual offences
any other victim, next of kin or witness VIA considers that because of particular vulnerability the provision of services would be beneficial. This category includes asylum seekers and intimidated witnesses and may include victims and witnesses from the lesbian, gay or bi-sexual communities
Offices are currently operational in Aberdeen (known as the Grampian office, covering Peterhead, Stonehaven, Elgin and Banff); Airdrie; Dumfries; Dundee; Edinburgh; Glasgow; Hamilton; Kilmarnock; Kirkcaldy; Paisley. A further office will open in Stirling in November 2003.
Modernisation and reform changes since March 2002:
Introduced modern IT system, to improve case management, and ease burden of paperwork for legal staff
Moved to area structure, matching that of Police Forces, to improve communication and close working with police
Appointed senior administrators to support area Procurators Fiscal, freeing up more time for legal work
Appointment of Chief Executive and experienced management team, to free up senior legal staff from 'central' responsibilities such as personnel
Roll-out of Victim Information and Advice service, improving the level of information and support we offer victims
Created two new units - Civil Recovery and Criminal Confiscation, to ensure we reap the benefits of new powers contained within the new Proceeds of Crime Act
Have worked with staff at all levels, improving communication and levels of support offered to front line staff, to ensure efficient prosecution of crime