Thousands of pounds in extra funding for victims of crime has been announced by the Scottish Government.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said that £137,000 will be made available in one-off grants to support people and improve the public’s understanding of crimes such as stalking and trafficking.
Six organisations are to be given a share of the cash, not only to work with victims and offer training for staff, but also to help provide public messaging about crime.
Action Against Stalking will receive £34,500 to use social media to highlight stalking as an offence and signpost people to where they can get help. The funding will also be used to research the volume and nature of stalking victims’ experiences throughout the lockdown.
The Anchor Service is being given £25,000 to help it continue to provide psychological support to adult victims of trafficking. Since April last year, it has received more than 100 referrals, and the funding will be used partly to meet extra costs over that time.
Counsellors and therapists will be given extra training at Petal, which works with people who are bereaved by crime, while Victim Support Scotland is to use its funding of £30,000 to strengthen its communications systems.
Domestic violence services ASSIST and Manda’s Centre will also receive funding.
Mr Yousaf said: “Some crimes have fallen further during the Covid-19 lockdown but others have not and we have already increased resources available for a range of victims’ support services during the pandemic.
“This latest funding will help six charities to meet the costs of their essential work supporting victims and to enhance some of the services they provide, as well as supporting a survey to improve understanding about the impact and extent of stalking offences.”
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