Press Release

Unite says Scotland's one million victims of crime need their voice heard

July 2 2009

Unite, Scotland's biggest trade union, has called on the Scottish Government to put people first in their response to the public consultation for a Victims Commissioner for Scotland.

The proposals, put forward by David Stewart MSP, would create a post in Scotland that can advocate, advance and assert the rights of the one million people who are victims of crime in Scotland each year. There is currently no one body in Scotland tasked with co-ordinating victims' rights despite existing legislation at the Scottish, UK and European levels. Research findings conducted by the then Scottish Executive in 2006 described the service provided to victims and their families as 'patchy'.

Against the back drop of the Scottish Government's attempts to reform the Scottish civil justice agenda, Unite believes a Victims Commissioner is essential and would be a positive step forward in the fight to ensure Scotland's justice system delivers for hard working people and their families.

Unite Scottish Secretary John Quigley said: "We are delighted to support David Stewart's proposals as it is vital that not only do working people and their families have access to justice but also to a justice system that actually works for them.

"We believe this is a crossroads moment as the Scottish Government's proposals for civil justice reform aim to effectively privatise our civil courts with the declared intention of making our citizens ultimately pay 100% of court fees prior to accessing justice.

"Only last week the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) published figures showing that there were 26 fatalities and 12,000 injuries at work reported across Scotland in the last year. These deaths and injuries show that we need an accessible and robust system more than ever, not one that puts profits first.

"We urge the Scottish Parliament to support these proposals. A Victims Commissioner would be vital in creating a fairer system, one which helps victims and their families in their pursuit for justice and that firmly puts people before profit."