The Victims’ Rights (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Further general principles

2.  After section 1 of the Act, insert—

“Further general principles applicable to victims

1A.— (1) Each person mentioned in section 1(2) must have regard to the principles mentioned in subsection (2) in carrying out functions conferred on the person by or under any enactment in so far as those functions relate to a person who is or appears to be a victim in relation to a criminal investigation or criminal proceedings.

(2) The principles are—

(a) that victims should be treated in a respectful, sensitive, tailored, professional and non-discriminatory manner,

(b) that victims should, as far as is reasonably practicable, be able to understand information they are given and be understood in any information they provide,

(c) that victims should have their needs taken into consideration,

(d) that, when dealing with victims who are children, the best interests of the child should be considered, taking into account the child’s age, maturity, views, needs and concerns, and

(e) that victims should be protected from—

(i) secondary and repeat victimisation,

(ii) intimidation, and

(iii) retaliation.

(3) In this section, “child” means a person under 18 years of age.”.