The Restitution Fund (Scotland) Order 2025: equality impact assessment

Key Findings

Victims of assault on police (under section 90(1) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) will be eligible to apply for support services, and this is not limited or impacted by any protected characteristic. All those eligible for support from the Restitution Fund should have the opportunity to access support that meets their needs (within the limits of the funds available). Therefore, the operation of the Fund allows for applications to the Fund to meet an individual’s needs, rather than offering only a limited range of services. This will mitigate against any unforeseen impacts on protected characteristics.

For offenders, the courts will have the option of imposing a restitution order by virtue of the offence, and this is not impacted by protected characteristics. In any given circumstance, the level of financial penalty imposed by the courts is likely to be the same regardless of whether it is a restitution order or another financial penalty, such as a fine. The financial impact on the offender and their family, and any resulting impacts, are therefore anticipated to be unchanged as a result of the implementation of restitution orders.