VICTIMS - Information Gathering and Documentation SUM2

Question 1

What are the four definitions of a victim?

Answer 1

1 - a person against whom an offence is committed.
2 - a person who, as the result of an offence committed by another, suffers damage to their person and/or property.
3 - the parent or legal guardian of a child to whom the above applies, UNLESS they are the person charged.
4 - the immediate family of any person who dies or is incapable as a result of an offence committed by another, UNLESS they are the person charged.

Question 2

What does section 7 of the victims rights act state?

Answer 2

Victims should be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect for their personal dignity and privacy.

Question 3

What does section 8 of the victims rights act state?

Answer 3

Victims and where needed, their families should have access to welfare, health, counselling, medical and legal assistance responsive to their needs.

Question 4

What does section 11 of the victims rights act state?

Answer 4

Victims should be informed at the earliest possible opportunity of the programmes, services and remedies available to them.

Question 5

What does section 12 of the victims rights act state (acronym)?

Answer 5

Victims must be informed of PADRO - 
Progress of investigation
Actions taken 
Dates/times of proceedings 
Role of the victim as a witness
Outcome of proceedings

Question 6

What does section 51 of the victims rights act state?

Answer 6

Victims property must be returned when it is no longer required as evidence.

Question 7

What does section 79 of the victims rights act state?

Answer 7

Victims are up entitled to have a support person near them when giving evidence.

Question 8

What are the two stages of victimisation, and what are 3 feelings a victim may have during each?

Answer 8

Impact - numbness, feelings of unreality, disorientation.

Recoil - fear, rage, frustration.

Question 9

What are three symptoms of PTSD?

Answer 9

Guilt, memory and concern gratin problems, flashbacks.

Question 10

What are three ‘do’s when interviewing a victim?

Answer 10

Make setting safe/comfortable, keep questions simple, ask questions 1 by 1.

Question 11

What are three ‘don’t’s when interviewing a victim?

Answer 11

Judge/blame, say all is well, say you know how they feel.