This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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VIA seen to be helping many thousands
28/06/2004
Around 27,000 victims, witnesses and bereaved relatives have been assisted by the Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service, a division of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, since it was launched two years ago.
On the second anniversary of the launch of the service Lord Advocate Colin Boyd QC said:
"VIA addressed a previously unmet need. In the two years since it was launched VIA staff have assisted more than 27,000 vulnerable victims, witnesses and bereaved relatives.
"The creation and provision of this vital service could not have been achieved without the dedication of VIA staff and the support of Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service colleagues, criminal justice partners and voluntary organisations.
"VIA can demonstrate a real improvement in the quality of service the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service now provides. I am committed to extending and enhancing that service and by December this year the services provided by VIA will be available in all areas of Scotland."
VIA provides a 'way through' the criminal justice process. It has three main functions:
- provide information to certain victims, witnesses and bereaved next of kin about the criminal justice process in general
- keep victims, witnesses and bereaved next of kin informed about the progress of the case that affects them in particular
- advise on and facilitate referral to other agencies for specialist support and counselling as required
Since 2002, VIA has expanded its operational coverage to include 20 Procurator Fiscal districts, and has an office in each of the 11 Procurator Fiscal Areas.
VIA serves individual victims, or groups of individual victims, in all cases of domestic abuse, racist crime, sexual offences and cases likely to be tried before a jury. The service is also provided to all child witnesses or vulnerable witnesses and to the next-of-kin where criminal proceedings are possible, a Fatal Accident Inquiry is to be held, or further enquiries are pending.
VIA provides information on cases reported to the Procurator Fiscal from the time of first reporting to the conclusion of the case. This information includes outcomes of key stages and key decisions. For example decisions to grant/allow bail with special conditions are communicated to the victim within 24 hours.
VIA offices are based within local Procurator Fiscal Offices. A service is currently offered in: Dundee (came on stream in July 2002) Edinburgh (July 2002) Glasgow (March 2002) Inverness (November 2003) Kilmarnock (March 2002) Kirkcaldy (June 2003); coverage including Cupar (April 2004) Paisley (January 2003) Stirling (December 2003) and throughout the areas of: Grampian (based at Aberdeen; coverage including Aberdeen, Banff, Elgin, Peterhead and Stonehaven) (November 2000) Dumfries and Galloway (based at Dumfries (August 2003); coverage including Kirkcudbright (January 2004) and Stranraer (March 2004) Lanarkshire (based at Airdrie (June 2003) and Hamilton (April 2001); coverage including Lanark (October 2003).