Scottish Government Victims Taskforce Meeting: FOI release

Information requested

"At the Scottish Government Victims Taskforce Meeting on 20th June 2024, an issue was discussed in the minutes regarding poor trauma informed practice. Issue 3e Victims being asked by the police to approach other possible victims. Who raised this issue and what was it specifically in relation to?"

Response

The Issue 3e was raised by victims/survivors at the Victims-Survivor Advisory Board (VSAB) meeting held in March 2024 and the details of the issue has been captured under the VSAB Issues tracker which can be accessed here: Victims Taskforce papers: November 2024 - gov.scot.

The minutes of the Victim Taskforce meeting held in June 2024 are published and can be accessed here: Victims Taskforce minutes: June 2024 - gov.scot

Whilst our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information particularly in relation to second part of your request – “what was it specifically in relation to” because exemptions under section 30(c) applies to the information you requested.

An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to some of the information requested. The Victim/Survivor Advisory Board was established to enable victims and survivors with lived experience to engage directly with Ministers, officials and victim support organisations in a private and confidential setting, and to speak openly about their experiences. It is essential for Ministers and officials to be able to engage with people with lived experience of the criminal justice system , often in confidence, on a range of issues, including experience of victims/survivors of sexual offences. Disclosing the views of the victims/survivors, particularly without their consent, is likely to undermine their trust in the Scottish Government and will substantially inhibit engagement on such issues in the future. The victims will be reluctant to participate in meetings and share their experience and views fully and frankly if they believe that their views are likely to be made public, particularly while these discussions relate to sensitive issues in relation of experience of victims/survivors of sexual offences. This would significantly harm the Government’s ability to carry out engagement with people with lived experience, and could adversely affect its ability to gather all of the evidence for making improvements to the criminal justice system.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space within which to engage with victims/survivors as part of gathering evidence and listening to lived experience ensuring that victims and survivors are able to engage safely and confidentially with the Scottish Government. Disclosure of the information would be likely to deter participation, inhibit candour, and would undermine the effectiveness of the VSAB and affects the Government’s ability to learn from those who have experienced the criminal justice system first-hand.

About FOI

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