People can suffer greatly in the aftermath of crime and may experience a range of reactions, depending on the severity of the crime. These may include headaches, insomnia, anxiety, relationship problems and a temporary inability to cope with every day living. These are all normal reactions following a crime, however some people may need help to deal with them.
Everyone will be affected by crime at some point in life, either directly as a victim or witness of a crime or indirectly through family, friends or work. The Victim Service exists to help people with the aftermath of crime.
Free and Confidential Advice
Victim Support provides victims with free and confidential emotional and practical assistance and information about the criminal justice system. Trained volunteers and staff deliver this assistance throughout Scotland. There is a victim service in every local authority area. To find your local service, refer to our online directory of services.
How we give support
This support can be provided in a variety of different ways:
- Our volunteers can visit you in your home
- We can provide support over the phone
- An appointment can be arranged in our offices
- Our Helpline can provide support over the phone or direct you to your local service
If you have been a witness to a crime our Witness Service can help you.
Victim Support Scotland has a range of information leaflets about our services, including crime specific leaflets. To view any of these leaflets click here
Youth Justice Service
Victim Support Scotland provides a service in Dundee for victims of youth crime.
- Assist with criminal injuries compensation claims (see below)
- Provide customised training programmes for other organisations on how to cope with the effects of crime
- Provide information about other specialist sources of help for victims.
Victim Support does not provide financial assistance or professional counselling.
Victims of violent crime, or bereaved relatives of someone who has died as a result of criminal injuries, can apply for compensation under the state-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS).
The scheme allows financial awards to be made:
- to recognise the injuries, physical and mental, caused by a crime of violence
- in certain circumstances, to compensate for past or future loss of earnings or special expenses caused by such a crime
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for bereavement as a result of a crime of violence, including, in some circumstances, compensation for the lost earnings of the person who has been killed
Crime can have serious financial consequences for its victims and many people suffer long-term hardship. Compensation can help with an individual's recovery.
Victim Support can help with criminal injuries compensation claims.
