Speaking at Victim Support Scotland’s AGM, the First Minister said that extending the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration’s Victim Information Service will ensure that victims of youth crime receive the best help and advice available in a consistent, easy and accessible way.
First Minister Alex Salmond said: “We know that young people are more likely to be victims of crime committed by young people. The extension of the Victim Information Service builds on our commitment to improve information on youth justice services to victims and local communities.
David McKenna, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, welcomed the news that the information service for victims of youth crime would be rolled out across Scotland.
He said: “We do not want young people to be involved in crime; we do not want them to become victims of crime. We have a Youth Justice service in Dundee which deals with more than 1,000 referrals annually and our national Schools Public Speaking is further raising awareness of the problems and pressures facing young people. The Scottish Government’s latest initiative is another step along the path to a safer and stronger nation.”
Meanwhile, a national scheme for safeguarding rent deposits was announced by Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil.
Due to be introduced across Scotland, mr Neil said it was “time to take strong action” to protect tenants, and support the many landlords who do deal with deposits fairly.
An expert group - representing tenants, landlords, agents, consumer groups and housing organisations - reached consenus after full discussion on a compulsory scheme and will advise Ministers on its introduction.
The new scheme aims to reduce the number of wrongly withheld deposits speed up deposit returns ensure funds are available at the end of the tenancy when there is a dispute, ensure that the amount returned is determined in a fair way.
Mr Neil said: “When deposits are unfairly withheld, it can cause hardship and misery for the tenant and, in some cases, affect their ability to secure another tenancy.
“We know that in many cases it is students and vulnerable tenants who are affected, and this is an absolute tragedy - these are the very people who can least afford to be treated in this way.”
Liam Burns, National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland President said:
“Students across Scotland are delighted that the Scottish Government is acting to protect their tenancy deposits. Unfairly withheld deposits are one of the biggest issues for students living in the private rented sector.”
Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, also welcomed the move.
“With estimates of the amount of money unfairly withheld each year running into millions, Scotland is clearly in need of a way to protect tenant’s deposits,” he said.
Children’s Minister Adam Ingram also highlighted the conclusion largest and most comprehensive examination of child protection measures in Scotland.
Every local authority has now undergone a thorough inspection of its child protection services.
Mr Ingram said the Scottish Government and child protection agencies had already started drawing from the vast bank of information gathered in the review.
He said: “This wealth of evidence allows us to build on successes and we have already begun drawing from it via the review of guidance for child protection professionals currently taking place and the next round of more targeted inspections, which will focus in particular on the areas that need help to drive up consistency across Scotland.”
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