Associate feature: Listen. Act. Hope. Why it has never been more important that we listen to victims of crime

It is one of the biggest injustices that, all too often, the voices of people impacted by crime are drowned out amidst the complex internal workings of Scotland’s criminal justice system. The very people who are most affected by these decisions, often have the least influence. We can glibly attest that things need to change, but how can this be effectively achieved?

This Victims’ Awareness Week (21-28 February), we’re shining a spotlight on the importance of listening to victims and are calling on parliamentarians, third sector organisations and criminal justice partners to Listen. Act. Hope. 

LISTEN to victims and their experiences.

ACT to provide, and help access, support and consider these views when progressing legislation, and by doing so provide

HOPE for people impacted by crime. 

Listening is a simple act, and yet it holds great power. Victim Support Scotland has been doing this for many years. 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of our organisation.  It’s a time of reflection on what has improved and what has not. Our conclusion is that really listening is the foundation of meaningful change. It is a means through which we can create a justice system that truly meets the needs of people - you, me, all of us - who are impacted by crime. People who get swept up in it, often suddenly, and with significant accompanying trauma. It is why the Scottish Government hosts consultations before drafting policy - so they can consider the thoughts and opinions of the people, professionals and organisations who are experts in their specific fields, and who can share invaluable lived experience. 

When we do listen to people affected by crime, great things can happen. One of the most striking changes in the justice system over the last 40 years is the growing recognition that the system itself causes trauma and an acknowledgement that we must do better.  Listening to victims’ voices has instigated some action concerning the Scottish Government’s position on Media Reporting of Child Homicide. Spearheaded by an affected family member and supported by sixty-five family members bereaved by murder or culpable homicide’, they collectively led a campaign for anonymity for children who die as a result of crime. 

Agreeing that it is a very challenging and complex issue, the government ran a public consultation on the topic to seek a wide range of views.  Whilst it’s likely that any changes made will not be the radical approach victims are looking for, progress has been made nevertheless and victims do feel they have been heard. It is grassroots activism like this where people’s voices can have a real impact, heralding systemic and cultural change. 

It’s in the creation of a rich dialogue, where victims are recognised as a key part of the justice system, that real improvements can be made.  Victim Support Scotland is uniquely placed to represent victims’ views, currently topical through the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. This exemplifies where people affected by crime have really been listened to, and their experiences have the potential to inform ground-breaking legislative change. This is our opportunity to implement the findings of Lady Dorrian’s review, which has led to the proposal for a specialist sexual offences court; make good on the promise for a Victims’ Commissioner for Scotland made by all political parties in their previous manifestos; and recognising the abolition of Not Proven will have a positive impact not just on sexual offences, but also in other cases such as murder and culpable homicide. 

In Victim Support Scotland’s 40th anniversary year, we stand true to our core purpose of supporting people across Scotland who have been impacted by any type of crime, providing emotional, financial and practical support. Whilst we are seeing the green shoots of change, many of the challenges we were facing four decades ago are still all too present today. There is much still to be done.

And for that reason, we must both collectively and individually listen, act, and hope for a better future for victims in Scotland’s criminal justice system.

This article is sponsored by Victim Support Scotland. 

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