Cash help for victims of crime

More victims of crime in Renfrewshire will have access to a financial lifeline due to an increase in funding announced by Victim Support Scotland.

The organisation has announced an expansion to the Victims’ Fund.

As Scotland’s leading charity for supporting people in the aftermath of crime, Victim Support Scotland has successfully supported over 200 people during the pandemic who have been in urgent need of financial help, since April.

The money has helped people by covering costs of security systems, rent for those escaping domestic abuse, mobile phones, funeral costs for bereaved families, and more.

Early this year, the Scottish Government announced an increase in its contributions towards the Victims’ Fund to the sum of £100,000, in order to provide critical financial aid to some of Scotland’s most vulnerable victims during the pandemic.

Individual victims can receive up to £3,000 for a wide range of goods and services.

Demand for the Victims’ Fund has been so great that this initial £ 100,000 has now been spent and Victim Support Scotland is committed to expanding it further, with a view to helping even more victims.

Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said: “It is an unfortunate reality that many of Scotland’s most vulnerable victims find themselves in financial destitution.

“Th e c o ro na v i r u s pandemic ha s o n l y exaggerated this already harsh reality for many. The Victims’ Fund has allowed us to provide critical financial support at the point of need for victims.

“I have heard direct feedback from recipients of support from the Victim’s Fund as to the life-changing impact this has had on them, relieving them from difficult and often life- threatening situations.

“I am, therefore, pleased to announce that Victim Support Scotland will expand the Victims’ Fund with a view to supporting even more people affected by crime across Scotland.”

The Victims’ Fund is open to any victim of any crime who is resident in Scotland currently accessing victim and other support services.

It is also available for people who live outside of Scotland who have been bereaved by a crime that has occurred within Scotland.

For more details on the Victims’ Fund see https:// victimsupport.scot/victimsfund/