Presentation by Frida Wheldon, Head of Policy, Victim Support Europe in conference "Supporting Victims of Crime in Latvia – Possibilities and Challenges" organised by Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS on February 21-22, 2013 in Riga. Conference was organized in project "Conference is organized within framework of project Response to Crime Latvia and Beyond”. Further information about project: http://www.providus.lv/public/26862.html Further information about conference: http://www.providus.lv/upload_file/Projekti/Kriminalitesibas/Victim%20support/Conference_web.pdf -------- Prezentācija "Kā palīdzēšana noziedzīgos nodarījumos cietušajiem palīdz Skotijai – jauna perspektīva Latvijai" (Frida Wheldon, Organizācijas „Atbalsts cietušajiem Eiropā” politikas nodaļas vadītāja) konferencē "Atbalsta sistēma noziedzīgos nodarījumos cietušajiem – Latvijas iespējas un izaicinājumi". Konference tika organizēta 2013.gada 21.-22.februārī Rīgā projekta "Atbalsta sistēma noziegumos cietušajiem - Latvijā un citur" ietvaros. Plašāka informācija par projektu: http://www.providus.lv/public/27560.html Plašāka informācija par konferenci: http://www.providus.lv/public/27812.html

1. Frida Wheldon
Building a successful victim support service –
experiences from Scotland
Conference is organized within project “Support for
Victims of Crime: Substantial or Nominal. Latvia and
Beyond”. Project is financed by European Union
#cietušiem // #victimslatvia // @providus

2. History
• 1974 – victim support starts in Bristol
• 1978 - National Association of Victim Support
schemes
• 1981 – first Scottish victim support scheme
• 1985 – Victim Support Scotland established

3. Victim Support Scotland 2012
• 92.000 victims
• 100.000 witnesses
• 300.000 contacts with victims and witnesses
• €5 million in criminal injuries compensation

4. Structure of organisation
• Victim Service – every local authority
– Referrals from Police, other org. and self-referrals
– Emotional, practical, financial support, crime prevention, information and
advice
– Accessed immediately following crime and beyond
• Witness Service – every sheriff and high court
– Referrals from Prosecution and in court
– Practical information, moral support and reassurance
– On the day of trial (familiarisation visit)
• National office
– Advocacy – advance needs and rights of victims/witnesses
– Increase knowledge – research, training, proactive out-reach
– Communication – publications and information material

5. Factors to bear in mind
• Vision focus on outcomes for victims
• Scope wide enough to deal with all victims’ needs
• Referrals
• Needs assessment - tailor services to meet need
• Method of service provision

6. Challenges
– Funding
– Fragmentation
– Uniform quality standards
– Referrals
– Data protection
– Duration of support (short-term/long-term)
– Volunteer/staff – training and expectations
– Generic/specific – recognise need without creating
hierarchy

7. Summary
• How will victims access your service? (referrals)
• What kind of services will you offer? (minimum standards)
• How will you get the skills to provide this service? (Training and
behaviours)
• How will you interact with victims? (needs’ assessment, user
feedback, open dialogue)
• Stronger together (value of partnerships)

8. Thank you!
Frida Wheldon
Head of Policy, Victim Support Europe
Frida.Wheldon@victimsupportsco.org.uk