Yousaf must do more for families
A campaigning sister of a teenager stabbed to death by her ex- boyfriend hit out at the justice secretary for failing to introduce Michelle’s Law.
Humza Yousaf announced £ 1.2m for Victims Support Scotland to deliver support to families or murder victims.
But Lisa Stewart, whose sister Michelle was killed in 2008 in Drongan, said Mr Yousaf did not go far enough.
Lisa and her family, who met Mr Yousaf earlier this year calling for the introduction of Michelle’s Law, said their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
She said: “Any investment in the current victim support system is welcomed as the funding should allow the current service to be improved and provide a more informative supportive service to victims.
“The funding to VSS will allow a more supportive service to victims but what we need is change to ensure the law favours victims rather than the criminals.
“Unfortunately, Mr Yousaf has so far failed to follow through on his commitment to Michelle’s Law and has done nothing for justice, victims and their families.”
The Michelle’s Law campaign would give victims’ families a greater say in decisions on whether to give prisoners parole or early release.
It would also create exclusion zones where released prisoners cannot go, such as the community where the family lives.
The Support for Families Bereaved by Crime service will be delivered by the charity Victim Support Scotland, who will provide a dedicated support worker to assist families with practical tasks such as going to court, accessing specialist services including counselling, arranging funerals and handling the media and finances.
The new free service can be accessed through a Police Scotland family liaison officer.
Mr Yousaf said: “We want to ensure that victims’ interests are at the heart of our criminal justice system and that it is fair, accessible and efficient for all.
“We listened when victims’ families told us that they had faced difficulties di in accessing the support su that was available to them th and that is why we have provided pro £ 1.2 million funding to Victim Support Scotland to deliver del this free and confidential new service.
“It will ensure that all families affected affe by homicide have a dedicated ded case worker to provide support sup and information at every eve stage of the criminal justice just process, helping to reduce distress dist and the potential for retraumatisation.” retrau
More i n f o rma t i o n o n Michelle’s Law can be found at www. facebook. com/ MichellesLaw- 420227548503196.