Government plan to make offenders pay for their crime

OFFENDERS COULD be forced to contribute to the cost of supporting their victims in the aftermath of the crime.

Under the Scottish Government proposal a flat charge would be levied on all criminals and used to fund a range of schemes designed to alleviate the hardships of victims.

The measure is one of a series of proposals being considered to help both victims and witnesses.

As well as the new surcharge, ministers are also looking at requiring the courts to make offenders pay compensation in every case where someone has suffered an injury, loss or distress.

There are also plans to give victims of sexual offences and domestic abuse cases an automatic right to special measures which would allow them to give their evidence via a TV link, from behind a screen in court or have someone with them for support.

The Scottish Government is consulting on the proposals which could be included in a Victims and Witnesses Bill.

Justice Secretary Kenny Macaskill said: “I have published this consultation with the intention of placing victims and witnesses right at the very heart of the criminal justice system, not as passive spectators but as informed, supported and valued people whose needs must be served.

“We are proposing a range of practical new measures such as a surcharge which will provide new funds to assist victims while making offenders pay for their crime as well as extending an automatic right to special measures to victims in sexual offences and domestic abuse cases.”

Victim Support Scotland welcomed the consultation which lasts for eight weeks.

Deputy chief executive Jim Andrews said: “We welcome the opportunity to work with the Government and the Parliament in ensuring that among the finalised proposals are those which recognise the problems faced by the individuals and families who require our support.

“There are clearly a number of major issues which have to be addressed and Victim Support Scotland will play its part in helping to further modernise Scotland’s criminal justice system.”

Scottish Labour’s justice spokesman Lewis Macdonald also welcomed the plans.

“After five years in government, it is good to see the SNP at last beginning to put victims’ rights further up the political agenda,” he said.

“This is where Scottish Labour has argued they should have been all along and we welcome any evidence, however modest, that argument has been taken on board.”

The Scottish Liberal Democrats called for extra help for victims to be implemented “sooner rather than later”.

Kenny Macaskill.