Victims and witnesses of crime

There is information about going to court as a victim or witness on mygov.scot.

You can also find information about the support available for victims and witnesses of crime on mygov.scot. This includes information about:

• where to get support after a crime

• how to get support at court

• practical information about how the criminal justice system works

• information about specific criminal offences.

You can find information about making a police statement on mygov.scot.

For serious crimes, you can find out about making a victim statement on mygov.scot. 

Emergency Assistance Fund

You might be eligible for the Emergency Assistance Fund if:

• you have a financial need directly because of a crime

• your financial need is urgent and life essential

• you can not meet this financial need yourself or through another organisation.

You can apply for the fund directly or an organisation can apply on your behalf. Victim Support Scotland staff can help with the application form.

The fund mostly provides goods and services rather than cash. This means that there is no impact on someone's financial situation, for example, benefits. 

You can read more and find the application form for the Emergency Assistance Fund on the Victim Support Scotland website.

Victim Notification Scheme

There is also information about the Victim Notification Scheme on mygov.scot. This allows some victims of crime to get information about the offender, such as the date they are going to be released from prison. They can also choose to be involved in decisions to release the offender.

Restorative justice

In some areas of Scotland you might have access to restorative justice.

Restorative justice is a voluntary, facilitated, supported process of contact between someone who has been harmed and the person who caused that harm.

Both parties must consent to the process and can withdraw at any time.

There is more information about restorative justice on the Community Justice Scotland website.