5 Victims and Road Policing Flashcards
Under the VRA what is the definition of IMMEDIATE FAMILY of the victim?
- a member of the victims family group who WAS IN A CLOSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP at the time of the offence AND - victims spouse, partner - child or step child - siblings of step siblings - parent or step parent of victim - Grandparents
What is the definition of INCAPABLE according to the VRA?
- A person who LACKS CAPACITY TO UNDERSTAND AND FORESEE CONSEQUENCES regarding their PERSONAL CARE and WELFARE
OR - A person who LACKS CAPACITY TO UNDERSTAND AND FORESEE CONSEQUENCES regarding their PERSONAL CARE and WELFARE AND LACKS THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE DECISIONS
AND - unconscious person
What is the definition of a VICTIM as per the VRA?
A person:
- against whom offence has occurred
- who suffers physical injury or loss of property
- parent of legal guardian of a child
- member of immediate family of a person who dies
- who suffers any emotional harm
- who experiences domestic violence
- child or YP who experiences DV
What is the main points of s7 VRA?
Treat the victim with COURTESY and COMPASSION
AND
Respect the victims DIGNITY and PRIVACY
When should you have a CSV1 on the prosecution file?
It SHOULD be on there for the 1st appearance but MUST be on there for the 2nd appearance.
Make sure you update the Victim Contact Node in NIA ‘CSV1 completed’
Police have an obligation under the VRA to provide support for victims, how is this usually done?
By making a referral to Victim Support, Womens Refuge or any other specific agencies.
This referral MUST be done as soon as practical after the victim comes into contact with Police
s12 VRA talks about informing the victim about court proceedings, what can they be told and when?
- progress of investigation
- charges laid or reason for not laying charges
- victims role as a witness for prosecution
- date and place of each hearing
- outcome of prosecution
- any appeal
MUST be told AS SOON AS PRACTICAL
As well as advising the victim of these you CAN also give this info TO ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN DISADVANTAGED by the offending
What can a victim impact statement contain?
As well as a written record of the EFFECTS of the offending it assists with the Court understanding the victims views about the offending.
It can be
- written
- include photos
- drawings
- or any other VISUAL REPRESENTATION
What information SHOULD a VIS contain?
- any physical injury or emotional harm
- any loss of or damage to property
- any other effects of the offence
Who else other than the victim can submit a VIS?
Children who are victims or witnesses SHOULD have a VIS.
Friends of ppl that died (ie car crash in Port Hill friends of the deceased sisters provided VIS)
When should a VIS be on a prosecution file?
SHOULD be on file for 1st appearance but MUST be on file for 2nd appearance
Before getting a VIS off a victim what MUST the victim be told about it?
Who may see it, make or keep copies of it
What offences are specified offences under s29 VRA ?
- sexual nature
- serious assault (inc presentation of a FA)
- Resulted in serious injury
- death of a person
- Victim becoming incapable
- ongoing fears for safety or security (no actually offending but threatening to kill or BOPO)
- Fears for the physical safety or security of immediate family
All these people are able to go on the Victim Notification Register
Eligible victims also covers those who have not suffered physical harm, but who have good reason to fear the offenders release, ie victims of threatening to kill, arson or BOPO
When should you talk to the victim about going on the VNR?
Police MUST determine whether or not the crime perpetrated against the victim falls under s29 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after they come forward and an ARREST occurs
Police print out form, hand it to victim (can assist filling it out) and it is up to them to post
* shld record that you have given the victim a s29 form in NIA*
What can someone who is on the VNR be informed of?
- temp release
- escape
- absconding from HD
- convictions of breach of release conditions
- prison recall
- pending parole hearings
- notification of parole board decision
- deportation hearing
- claim opportunities
**Police can check on the intranet to see if a VNR application has been successful **
If the victim of a specified offence wants to advise the Court (through Police) their views on bail - can this be done?
Yes - in fact the prosecutor MUST make all reasonable effort to ascertain the views of the victim and pass them onto the court
only applies to victims of a specified offence
If Police believe that the victim of a specified offence IS NOT or MAY NOT be capable ALONE of asking for, receiving or understanding the info what MUST they do?
If Police KNOW or OUGHT TO KNOW that the victim is not or may not be capable of this they MUST not only inform the victim but ALSO a SUPPORT person