‘Grieving families need more help’
Call for families of those who die abroad
Government have made a number of programme for government commitments to improve the voice of victims in the justice system and highlighted the trauma experienced by affected families because they have lost a loved one due to a crime or in suspicious circumstances abroad.
Such families need comprehensive emotional and practical support to be available immediately after they have been informed of death.
The Almond Valley MSP continued: “It is difficult to adjust to the death of a loved one. It is more difficult if the death is due to murder, manslaughter or in suspicious circumstances.
“It is harder still if the death occurred abroad.
“The news that a loved one has died can be delivered by a variety of people or organisations and can be done in woefully inappropriate ways, throwing people into deep shock and trauma.
“While the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and consular services have a lead responsibility to liaise with foreign jurisdictions, this is patchy and sometimes does not happen at all.
“I am glad the Westminster All- Party Parliamentary Group is vigorously pursuing improvements but there is also a role for Police Scotland, victim support services and other devolved services in Scotland.”
She continued: “I asked the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to ensure that all commitments to improving support for victims includes families affected by a death abroad and considers how access to emotional, practical, financial and legal support can be improved.
“I also asked how the deployment of Police Scotland family liaison officers can be enhanced and whether he will consider guidelines or new legislation where the home police force has a duty to provide a service.”
Ms Constance is also working closely with Hannah Bardell MP who is chairing the Westminster AllParty Parliamentary Group on Deaths Abroad and Consular Services.
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf MSP, who met with Kirsty Maxwell’s family after the debate, said the Scottish Government will do everything it can to support the families of loved ones who die abroad and that, as part of this, the Victims Task Force will examine the experiences of these families and how to improve the support that they need.
Kirsty Maxwell’s family have set up a website at https:// kirstymaxwell.com/ and on twitter @kirstydeathhelp.