On Monday 22nd September 2008, Victim Support Scotland held another successful annual general meeting. The event took place in the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh. Key speakers included Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, and pupils from Kemnay Primary School, who won VSS's Public Speaking Competition 2008.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced yesterday a substantial increase in the number of cases to be heard in the Glasgow specialist domestic abuse court.

The first fundraising venture by Royal Bank of Scotland to support Victim Support Scotland has resulted in a cheque for more than £4,200. The cheque was handed over after an auction night/barbeque at Gogarburn House, the bank’s European headquarters on the outskirts of Edinburgh with more than 60 people attending the event. The main auction item was a week in a self-catering cottage on the Kingie estate in the north of Scotland, which was donated by Scott Brown, chair of the VSS Campaign Board, and was sold for £525.00.

Two primary school pupils from Kemnay in Aberdeenshire have won a £10,000 prize for their school with a public speaking demonstration and a rap act.

Victim Support Scotland is looking for YOUR help

Victims of crime in Scotland will have the opportunity to tell the court about the physical, emotional and economic impact a crime had on them from spring next year. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced that a Victim Statement Scheme, in high courts and cases where a sheriff sits with a jury, will be introduced across Scotland on April 1, 2009.

Victim Support Scotland is making a major contribution to improving the support for victims and witnesses of crime. The Scottish national charity has developed a range of tools and framework for ensuring victims and witnesses’ needs are properly assessed and considered in the aftermath of crime.

Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, made a fact-finding visit to the offices of Victim Support Scotland at Saltmarket, Glasgow, on Monday, February 18, the beginning of European Victims’ Week.

Victim Support Europe has launched its first manifesto, calling for the establishment of victim support organisations in all EU Member States and for the protection and promotion of victims' rights to become an EU priority.

Victim Support Scotland's president, HRH The Princess Royal, visited VS Renfrewshire on February 18th to mark their 20th anniversary.