Making the justice system better for victims: consultation - easy read

What is this consultation about?

A consultation is when the Scottish Government asks people for their views before important changes are made.

This consultation is about making the justice system better for victims.

The justice system means the people and organisations that deal with crime.

This includes the police and courts.

A victim is a person who has been harmed as a result of a crime.

A crime happens when someone does something that breaks the law.

Some parts of this consultation are about all types of crime.

Some parts are about sexual offences.

Sexual offences include rape and sexual assault.

Rape is when someone makes you have sex with them when you do not want to.

Victims have told us that we can make the justice system better for them.

Victims have said more needs to be done to make sure

• they are listened to
• they feel safe
• they are treated with kindness
• they get the right information at the right time

It is important for us to do this so that people trust the justice system.

Some of the changes might need new laws.

We would like to know what you think about these changes.

Please give us your answers to the online consultation here.

You do not need to answer all questions - only the ones you want to.

You can get someone to help you answer the questions.

Please give us your answers before 19 August 2022.

If you need any more information about the consultation please email: victimsconsultation@gov.scot

The rest of this document gives you information about what is in the consultation.