About the Organisation
The Victim Support movement in the UK began in Bristol in 1974, when people from the local community came together to help victims of crime. This was in recognition of the fact that the needs of victims of crime were largely unrecognised by the criminal justice system and victims had no support available to them. In 1978, the National Association of Victim Support Schemes (NAVSS) was established as an umbrella organisation for local victim support schemes throughout the United Kingdom. In 1981, the first Scottish victim support scheme was established in Coatbridge. By the mid-eighties, many local communities across Scotland were coming together to set up local victim support schemes and it was decided to set up a national association in Scotland for Scottish schemes. This was in recognition of the geographical distances involved and the fact that Scotland has its own legal system. The Scottish Association of Victim Support Schemes, now renamed Victim Support Scotland, (VSS) was established in 1985. VSS has maintained strong working links with Victim Support England , Wales and Northern Ireland and Victim Support Ireland. Victim Support West Lothian was established in 1999.
Charitable Status
Victim Support Scotland has had charitable status since 1985 and was established as an independent company limited by guarantee in 1989. The main objectives of VSS as set out in the Memorandum of Association are: To relieve poverty, sickness and distress among persons who have suffered the same as a result of any criminal offence committed by any person or any means whatever and among the families of such persons who are in need To advance public education and awareness in relation to issues relating to victims and their families
Lead Organisation
Since it was established, Victim Support Scotland has become the lead organisation in Scotland providing emotional support and practical assistance to all victims of crime. Victim Support services exist in all local authority areas in Scotland. Each service is a separately constituted charity, affiliated to VSS and managed by a local voluntary committee, which consists of representatives of the community, the local police and social work departments. The service is delivered by volunteers who are trained to national standards to deliver a service to victims in a variety of ways according to the wishes of individual victims, including home visits, telephone support and office based appointments. These volunteers are supported by paid staff.
New Initiatives
Victim Support Scotland is also developing a dedicated Youth Justice Service for people affected by youth crime. Victim Support West Lothian has a dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour project worker.
Policy Development
VSS assists its Information on Services by coordinating policy development and monitoring national standards via implementation of national policies, the Code of Practice and the area planning process. VSS provides resources to its services, bringing them together to discuss key issues as appropriate.
Increasing Knowledge of Victim Issues
VSS also works to improve and increase knowledge about victims and witnesses through research studies, projects, appropriate publicity and information materials. VSS has also been instrumental in raising the profile of victims and witnesses in the public, parliamentary and criminal justice arenas. The organisation has become a major player in the criminal justice system, influencing government policy and helping to improve the experience of victims and witnesses of crime.