Victims

Question 1

Under section 4 of the Victim’s rights Act 2002, what is the definition of a victim?

Answer 1

• A person whom an offence is committed by another person
• A person who suffers physical injury, loss or damage to property because of a crime committed by another person
• a parent or guardian of a child/ YP who falls into above categories (unless they are the offender)
• an immediate family member of a person who died as a result of an offence committed by another (unless they are the offender).

Question 2

Section 7 relates to treatment of victims. How must victims be treated?

Answer 2

Treat the victim with courtesy and compassion and respect the victim’s dignity and privacy.

Question 3

Section 8 relates to victim’s rights to a accessing services. What are their rights?

Answer 3

A victim or member of the victim’s family who has welfare, health, counselling, medical, or legal needs arising from an offence should have access to services responsive to their needs.

Question 4

Section 11 relates to providing information to victims about services available to them. What does it state?

Answer 4

A victim must, as soon as practicable after the victim comes into contact with an agency, be given information about programmes, remedies and services available to them.

Question 5

Section 16 relates to restriction on disclosing victim’s contact details in evidence or information provided to court. What does it state?

Answer 5

Only name and age should be disclosed unless authorised by a judicial officer.

Don’t disclose, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses etc.

Question 6

Under section 29 (VNR) what is a specified offence?

Answer 6

• sexual
• serious assault
• an offence resulting in a serious injury, death, or a person becoming incapable
• any offence that leads the victim to having ongoing fears on reasonable grounds for his/ her safety or security, or for the safety or security of a family member.

Question 7

What is the purpose of the VNR?

Answer 7

To keep the victim updated of the offender’s significant movements while in the custody/ care of corrections or other government agencies. For example - when released from prison, escapes or dies or when granted bail.