Cash awarded to tackle "Scotland's shame"
A criminal justice charity has scooped £67,000 in Scottish Government funding to deliver a national anti-sectarianism service.
The project will tackle football supporters who have committed sectarian-related offences by offering education in place of criminal charges.
Based around modules which can be completed within a group environment or on a one-to-one basis, the structured programme teaches individuals to understand their actions and take ownership of their behaviour.
Engagement with the programme is voluntary and criminal charges are still subject to the criminal justice process should the person fail to complete the programme.
The service can also be used as part of the children’s hearing system in and sheriff courts and is available to any individual from the age of 12 years who has been charged with a sectarianism offence.
Sacro’s service manager Sandra Lindsay said: “Sectarianism has no place in modern day Scotland. By engaging directly with people, we help them to identify their behaviours and understand these behaviours and attitudes are not acceptable.
“Sacro’s structured programme encourages positive behaviour change to bring about a reduction in offending.”
The charity spent 12 months piloting the programme in areas across the central belt of Scotland where sectarian offending is highest.
