COMMENTING on Lord Carloway’s review of Scottish criminal law and practice Susan Gallagher, deputy chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, welcomed the report and its recommendations.
She added: “The recommendation to eliminate corroboration in Scotland is particularly welcome as long as any test applied ensures that it does actually lead to better quality of evidence.
“We hope for a fairer and more just system and decision making of court cases and of the justice system as a whole.
“We have to rely on judges and juries continuing to reach the right decisions having considered all of the evidence available to them.
“Victims and witnesses want a system which ensures that their human rights and needs are also taken into consideration alongside the rights of the accused.
“Lord Carloway’s review has highlighted the importance of maintaining the protection of the rights of victims of crime in order to lead to an effective and efficient prosecution of crime.”
Briefing note:
Victim Support Scotland, now in its 26th year, is a registered charity which provides help to all victims and witnesses of crime. Last year VSS dealt with almost 170,000 referrals and about 800 referrals to VOYCE, its youth justice service in Dundee. The charity has a presence in all of Scotland’s local authority regions and has staff and/or volunteers in every Sheriff and High Court in Scotland.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Victim Support Scotland. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: David Sinclair
Phone: 07803 970320
Email: david.sinclair@victimsupportsco.org.uk
Website: http://www.victimsupportsco.org.uk
