Victims Rights Act Flashcards
Section 7 - Courtesy and compassion
Members of the police, prosecutors, judicial officers, counsel, court officials and others dealing with victims should treat them with:
• courtesy, compassion, and respect for their personal dignity and privacy.
Section 8 - Access to services
Victims and, where needed, their families should have access to welfare, health, counselling, medical and legal assistance responsive to their needs.
Section 11 - Inform of Services Available
Members of police, officers of the court, and health and social services personnel should inform victims at the earliest opportunity of the programmes, services and remedies available to them.
Section 12 - Supplying Information
The prosecuting authority must advise the victims of the:
progress of the investigation
charges filed or action taken
date and place of proceedings
role of the victim as a witness
outcome of proceedings.
Section 51 - Returning Property
A person’s property (other than property of the defendant) held for evidential purposes must be returned as soon as practicable when it is no longer required as evidence.
The Golden Rule
Treat victims as you would expect to be treated yourself.
Section 79 - Support Persons
When any witness is giving evidence in a criminal proceeding they are entitled to have a support person near them.
Victim Notification System
You are required by law to advise victims of these offences of their right to this notification, and must do so as soon as practicable after the victim comes into contact with police.
