Part 2Trauma-informed practice

Principle of trauma-informed practice

26Principle of trauma-informed practice

(1)

The 2014 Act is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 1 (general principles)—

(a)

in subsection (3), after paragraph (c) insert—

“(ca)

that, during and after the investigation and proceedings, a victim or witness should be treated in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice,”,

(b)

after subsection (3) insert—

“(3A)

For the purposes of this section, “trauma-informed practice” has the meaning given by section 114 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025.”.

(3)

In section 2 (standards of service)—

(a)

in subsection (1), after paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)

the carrying out of those functions in relation to such a person in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice,”,

(b)

after subsection (4) insert—

“(4A)

Each person mentioned in subsection (2) must set and publish revised standards within the period of 18 months beginning on the day on which section 26 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 comes into force.

(4B)

Subsections (1) to (4) apply to the revised standards as they apply to the original standards.”,

(c)

in subsection (6), after the definitions of “prison” and “young offenders institution” insert—

““trauma-informed practice” has the meaning given by section 114 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025,”.