The St Helena Government (SHG) is today launching a public consultation on whether a Stand-Alone Victims’ Access to Compensation (SAVAC) scheme should be introduced on the island.

The consultation will run for four weeks, from Monday, 28 September 2026 to Monday, 26 October 2026.

This public consultation is seeking first and foremost to establish whether the people of St Helena support the principle of such a scheme and whether it is appropriate for our island.

What is being considered?

The scheme would apply in a specific situation: where SHG pays compensation to a person because Government treated them unlawfully while they were in custody or under supervision, and that person has committed an offence against a victim.

SAVAC could allow an eligible victim to claim compensation from those funds. Any victim award would be paid from these protected funds, with any remaining balance released to the offender.

Offenders still keep their legal right to claim compensation if the Government treats them unlawfully. The Government’s wrongdoing to a person and the person’s crime against a victim remain two completely separate legal issues.

SAVAC is not a general victims’ compensation scheme and would not provide compensation to every victim of crime. Its scope is strictly limited to instances where an offender receives monetary compensation from SHG.

Issues for Public Consideration

• The central question is whether St Helena should introduce a SAVAC scheme;
• whose circumstances the scheme should cover and how claims should be assessed;
• how the rights and interests of everyone affected should be taken into account;
• whether the scheme would be practical to run on St Helena; and
• whether there are other ways to support victims that should be considered.

You are welcome to support the scheme, oppose it, suggest changes, or raise questions that have not been covered.

How to Share Your Views

Members of the public are encouraged to participate through any of the following channels:

• Public Meetings: Four island-wide public meetings will be held across different districts:

• Online Consultation: An online survey containing simple explanations, illustrative examples, and open questions will be accessible throughout the four-week period via the St Helena Government website at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/savac. Hard copies of the survey will be available at the Public Library and Post Office.

Telephone feedback and verbal submissions will also be supported. Please contact the Communications Hub at communications@sainthelena.go.sh or call The Castle Reception at 22470. Alternatively, contact Minister Andrew Turner directly via email at andrew.turner@sainthelena.gov.sh or by telephone at 22607.

Following the close of the consultation on Monday, 26 October 2026, the feedback will be used to inform a final decision.

QR Code

SAVAC Survey

#StHelena #SAVAC #Consultation

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt