The SNP Government’s fund which uses cash taken from criminals to pay for practical help to victims of crime has opened for a new round of applications.
The £165,000 Victim Surcharge Fund is open to applications from any organisation that supports victims of crime on a practical level.
Allocations can be used to meet household repair costs due to the crime, food, utility or clothing expenses for those who have escaped domestic abuse.
Since November 2019, anyone committing a crime that results in a court fine is charged an additional penalty – the victim surcharge. This cash from criminals accumulates in the Victim Surcharge Fund.
Following the first round of funding, five organisations that support victims of crime shared £157,000 earlier this year.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“The Victim Surcharge Fund is one in a range of measures the SNP Government has to support victims of crime while making criminals pay the price.
“It follows hot on the heels of the £30 million Victim Support Fund which was launched in October, which will help support specialist services for those bereaved by crime in Scotland or abroad, provide court advocacy support for survivors of gender-based violence, fund support and assistance for victims of human trafficking and enable better long-term outcomes for victims including improved mental and physical health.
“I urge victim support organisations that are active in North Ayrshire to apply to the Fund, to help them offer victims the assistance they need.”
CEO of Victim Support Scotland, Kate Wallace said:
“For many people that have come through crime, having access to funds when they need it most can be life changing. Covering costs for emergency accommodation, food and clothing are just some of the ways that funding can be used.
“The Victim Surcharge Fund has enabled us to reach even more victims who are facing financial adversity through no fault of their own.”
Victims organisations interested in applying to the Fund can request an application form by emailing VictimSurchargefund@gov.scot and should apply by the 14 January 2022 deadline.
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