VICTIMS of crime are to be given practical help in the aftermath of an attack, ranging from replacing locks damaged in a break-in to emergency dental work following an assault, thanks to a fund launched with Scottish Government money.
The Victims Fund, initially funded by a £30,000 government grant, will be run by Victim Support Scotland and will help to meet the immediate needs of victims in the aftermath of a crime.
The Scotsman understands that the scheme, which will also b
e backed by £20,000 raised by Victim Support Scotland, has already been used to give a rape victim secure accommodation in the days following an attack.
Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said the money was intended to help people when they were at their most vulnerable.
Mr MacAskill said: "Being a victim of crime can have long-term emotional and physical consequences. We know that many victims also have limited resources and can ill afford the financial consequences of the crime committed against them.
"What may seem like a relatively small loss of property can have a disproportionate effect on those with little money to spare," Mr MacAskill added.
"That's where this fund can step in and meet victims' needs quickly and flexibly.
"For example, the fund could pay for the replacement of damaged locks for someone whose home has been broken into, emergency dental work for someone who's been assaulted, or the repair of windows smashed as result of antisocial behaviour."
Mr MacAskill said the fund would make a "real difference" to people who needed help the most. "That's why I'm pleased to contribute £30,000 of government funding to turn the fund into a reality," he added.
Scott Brown, the chairman of the Victim Support Scotland's campaign board, which will administer the fund, said the money would be used to provide emergency aid for victims of crime when no other help was available.
Mr Brown added: "Each application will be judged on its merits, but the emphasis will be on support in emergencies.
"We do not envisage any monies normally being paid to individuals; rather it will go to providers of emergency services," he explained.
"There will be an established procedure for dealing with any cases which might emerge, but the emphasis will be on speed. When people require assistance in an emergency, we do not want to complicate the procedure for providing such support."
The fund will be replenished by money raised by the charity.
The move comes four months after the Scottish Government announced a similar scheme to help the families of murder victims to meet the cost of cleaning up their homes. Margaret Smith, a Liberal Democrat MSP, had campaigned for such a move, pointing out that it could cost thousands of pounds to have a home cleaned after the police investigation had ended.
