Victims

Question 1

Definition of a victim

Answer 1

• person who an offence is committed against
• person who suffers physical injury, or loss of, or damage to property as a result of an offence
• parent or legal guardian of CYP who falls within the above two, unless parent or guardian charged with the offence
• member of immediate family of a person who dies or is incapable as the result of an offence committed against them, unless that family member is charged

Question 2

s51 VRA2002

Answer 2

Return of property held as evidence

(1) Law enforcement agencies that hold property of a person (other than an offender) for evidentary purposes must, to the extent that it is possible to do so, return it to the person as soon as practicable after they no longer need to hold it for those purposes

(2) Does not apply if the person doesn’t want the property returned

Question 3

Who can be registered on the VNR? **

Answer 3

Only victims of offences specified in section 29 can go on the VNR. The offence must be:
- a sexual assault or other serious assault
- one that resulted in serious injury to a person, the death of a person or a person being incapable
- one of another kind, and that has led to the victim having ongoing fears on reasonable grounds for their physical safety or security or for the physical safety or security of one of more members of their immediate family.