The Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 6 February 2013 by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill MSP. The Bill seeks to make provision for:
- rights and support for victims and witnesses (primarily in relation to criminal cases)
- the establishment of a National Confidential Forum (functioning as a committee of the Mental Welfare Commission) to provide a forum for adults who were in institutional care as children, including those who were abused, or who witnessed such abuse, whilst in such care
This briefing provides information on the background to the Bill and the key proposals contained therein.
Read SPICe briefing:
Published: 10 April 2013