Support service launched for families of murder victims
Bea Jones daughter Moira Jones was murdered in 2008
A new support service for families who have been bereaved by murder in Scotland has been launched today in Glasgow by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf.
The Support for Families Bereaved by Crime service, delivered by the charity Victim Support Scotland, has been designed to support families who have been bereaved through murder or culpable homicide.
Families will have a dedicated support worker who will provide assistance with immediate practical tasks such as going to court, accessing specialist services including counselling, arranging funerals, and handling the media and finances.
It was brought about after a report to the Scottish Government in 2017 highlighted a provision gap in Scotland. The report was submitted by the Moira Fund, whose founder is Bea Jones, mother of Moira Jones who was murdered in Queens Park in Glasgow in 2008.
Victim Support Scotland was awarded £1.2 million over three years until the end of March 2021 by the Scottish Government specifically to establish this new service.
The service is free and family members can access it via a Police Scotland Family Liaison Officer and other support partners.
Although it's only available to immediate family, wider family members and friends can still access Victim Support Scotland’s other support services by self-referral.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We want to ensure that victims’ interests are at the heart of our criminal justice system and that it is fair, accessible and efficient for all.
“We listened when victims’ families told us that they had faced difficulties in accessing the support that was available to them and that is why we have provided £1.2 million funding to Victim Support Scotland to deliver this free and confidential new service.
“It will ensure that all families affected by homicide have a dedicated case worker to provide support and information at every stage of the criminal justice process, helping to reduce distress and the potential for retraumatisation.”
Bea Jones said: “I am very pleased to be here for the launch of the new service which is now up and running - pleased for the sake of those heart-broken, traumatised, Scottish families who need it now and those who will need it in the future.
“It has been a privilege for The Moira Fund to work alongside the Scottish Government, Victim Support Scotland, the Crown Office and Police Scotland to establish this service and ensure that every aspect of necessary support has been covered.
"Strong links are in place to ensure a stream-lined system of help is available to desperate families who need much support and will surely benefit from feeling cared for at the very worst time of their lives.”
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