A mum left heartbroken by her son's death abroad spoke of her joy yesterday - as her 13 year campaign for more government support paid off. Julie Love, 53, was hailed by the Scottish Government as one of the driving forces behind the scheme to provide funding to Victim Support Scotland.
She began campaigning after her son Colin, 23, drowned in an accident off the coast of Venezuela in 2009. Julie set up charity Death Abroad - You're Not Alone (DAYNA) and encouraged anyone who had experienced a death abroad to share their experiences with the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, set up to look at the assistance provided to bereaved families.
And yesterday it emerged cash will be used for Victim Support Scotland's specialist service which offers financial and emotional support to families in Scotland who are affected by an overseas murder or killing. The new funding comes after feedback from a UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Death Abroad Consular Services and Assistance, and will help families with the costs of translation services and bringing their loved ones home.
Julie, of Maryhill, Glasgow, said yesterday: "Since the change to FAI legislation to include deaths abroad this is the next big thing to happen in Scotland. After relentlessly campaigning for over 13-years since my son Colin’s death I’m genuinely thrilled this funding has been made available to Victim Support Scotland for families bereaved by murder/homicide abroad.
“Scottish Families bereaved by murder abroad have struggled for support and while this funding is most welcome there’s still work to be done to support all Scottish families. I continue to work with the UK All Parliamentary Group and other support organisations to ensure all families’ voices are heard.”
At the time, Colin died, the death of English and Welsh residents could be examined by inquests at coroners' courts. But the death of Scots abroad, under a Fatal Accident Inquiry, did not come into force until 2017. A Scottish Government spokesperson said yesterday: “Julie Love and DAYNA are one of several key organisations who we liaise with and they provide valued and vital input to help us shape our on-going work.
"We will continue to work and engage with them to improve support to families whose loved ones have been killed abroad.” Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “My thoughts very much remain with the families and friends of anyone who has lost a loved one abroad. This can be especially traumatising for families given the distance and barriers involved so it is fundamental the right help is afforded such people at a time when they need help the most.
“Providing Victim Support Scotland with £40,000 for this new service will improve how victims and their families are supported following the death of a relative overseas. This approach exemplifies our commitment to supporting loved ones and victims right across the justice system.” And Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, added: “This grant will make a tangible and practical difference to families who are bereaved by murder or culpable homicide abroad.
"In addition to the trauma of losing a family member in this way, families often contend with issues and additional expenditure around international travel, language differences, dealing with the legal system of another country and the repatriation of their family member. With this additional funding, we can now extend the support we give to families in Scotland to include people bereaved by events abroad. Victim Support Scotland welcomes the opportunity to provide this crucial additional support."
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