Taskforce plan to help victims

The Scottish Government will create a taskforce to ensure the justice system does not worsen “trauma and distress” of crime victims.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf will chair the group, which will take evidence from victims on their experiences of accessing justice.

It aims to provide support and information. The group will include senior figures from justice agencies and vol- untary-sector organisations, and the first meeting will take place this year.

Mr Yousaf said crime had fallen by around a third in the past decade but sexual offences had increased, and more effort should be made to ensure all victims have a high level of support.

Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley said: “This taskforce is an opportunity to make a difference to complainers’ experience of, and confidence in, the justice system.”