New safe space for child victims of crime in Scotland
A new centre designed to support child victims and witnesses of crime is to be opened in Scotland. Children will be able to be interviewed in the child-friendly facility, away from police stations and courtrooms.
But they can also receive medical care and support to help them recover from trauma in an environment designed to look like a family home.
Locations are being scouted for the base following a £1.5m boost from the People's Postcode Lottery.
Project partner Children 1st said the centre would "end the nightmares of thousands of children".
The charity's chief executive Mary Glasgow said the centre would "transform" Scotland's systems of justice, health, care and protection.
She added: "We and our partners want to offer our heartfelt thanks to the players of People's Postcode Lottery. With their help, we will offer children and their families the support they need to recover, repair and move on with their lives."
Along with Children 1st, the project will have input from Victim Support Scotland, Children England and the University of Edinburgh.
Kate Wallace, of Victim Support Scotland, highlighted the "heartbreaking harm" that children experience through court processes and procedures.
The Scandinavian model
The design of the centre is based on the Scandinavian model of Barnahus - or "children's house" - which provides a welcoming and safe environment for children.
Iceland first opened one such centre in 1998 followed by Sweden, Norway, Greenland and most recently, Denmark in 2013.
Centres operate on the principle that the nee...
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director