Restorative justice hubs will put victims at heart of system

Scottish Justice Secretary Keith Brown said they will allow those who have experienced harm to voice the impact a crime has had on them to the perpetrator.

He said it was “absolutely vital that victims are given a voice via person-centred services” and the two new hubs will pave the way for restorative justice services to be rolled out across the country.

The new ‘national hub’ within Community Justice Scotland will have a strategic, oversight role. It will also manage delivery of an initial test project in the Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders area establishing best working practices, before services are developed in other regions.

The Scottish government says this hub and spoke model will allow “nationally high standards of service to be maintained”, while also offering restorative justice that meets local needs and circumstances.

In addition a ‘thriving survivors’ hub is being set up to offer a safe, trauma informed service to support cases involving sexual harm.

Mr Brown said: “Providing a national restorative justice service is consistent with our clear commitment to putting victims at the heart of the justice system.

“It is absolutely vital that victims are given a voice via person-centred services where their needs and values are respected and supported as part of their journey towards healing and recovery.

“It is crucial the service provided is safe, consistent, and of a high standard nationally and fundamentally it is vital to remember this is voluntary and must have the needs of the person who has been harmed central to the process.

“It is not a substitute or alternative to the criminal justice system but a means of putting victims first in a way that I am sure will be of benefit to a number of people for very many years to come.”

Gemma Fraser, head of restorative justice at Community Justice Scotland, said: “It is important that people who experience harm caused by crime are empowered with the ability to voice the deeply personal impact of that, and given a choice in how they may wish to experience meaningful justice in Scotland.

“Funding restorative justice is essential to ensure safe and secure approaches to this, to prevent further harm, and enable recovery with supported access to services which address additional needs.”

Ashley Scotland, chief executive of Thriving Survivors, said research shows there is a real demand from survivors of sexual abuse for restorative justice to be available in Scotland in a safely managed way.

She added: “It’s very much an individual decision, but it can empower survivors of harm to take back power, choice and control in their lives and can help their recovery.”

The Scottish government says it has so far invested more than £725,000 in the roll-out of restorative justice services.