Criminal Justice Flashcards
What is a victim?
A person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss which was directly caused by criminal conduct.
A close relative of a person whose death was directly caused by criminal offence.
What is a witness?
One who sees, knows or vouches for something. One who gives testimony under oath or affirmation, in person, by oral or written deposition or by affidavit.
A witness must be legally competent to testify.
What is the importance of victims and witnesses in the CJS?
Allows the criminal justice system to succeed.
Narrows the justice gap.
Helps avoid ineffective trials.
Government initiated changes.
What is the Witness Care Unit (WCUs)?
Provides a single point of contact for victims and witnesses.
Keep witnesses informed about their case.
Conduct needs assessment and arrange tailored support for witnesses.
Provides a dedicated witness care officer.
What are the impacts of crime and ASB?
Victims may:
Suffer short term and long term effects.
They may have friends, partners and children who may also be affected by crime.
They may have a strong reaction to the crime, even if other people do not think of the crime as very serious.
What are the short term impacts of crime?
Initial emotional impact such as fear, shock and anger is likely to give way to a period of:
nervousness, anxiety, sleeplessness, powerlessness, vulnerability and self blame, fear of a repeat attack, vulnerability to repeat attack.
There may also be:
an increase in fear of crime and a lack of faith in the police.
What are the longer term impacts of crime?
Feelings of powerlessness, vulnerability to repeat attack, depression or anxiety- related illness, PTSD, Inappropriate behaviour towards suspect (vigilant behaviour if police to take no action).
What are the needs of victims and witnesses?
Reassurance, emotional vent, explanation and advice, regain control, a single point of contact, quality of service, updates, medical needs.
What is a first responders actions when dealing with victims and witnesses?
Establish a rapport, treat a person as an individual, communicate clearly and listen attentively, identify whether vulnerable or intimidated, identify any support needs, consider interpreter.
What are the benefits of a victim personal statement?
Enables victims to say how the crime has affected them physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially, or in any other way.
A voluntary process.
VPS leaflet should be given.
Can be made at the time of the crime or at any point afterwards.
What are the victims code of practice?
Main aims:
to inform and protect victims of crime and their families.
To ensure they receive appropriate support.
To put victims at the heart of the CJS.
What is the youth justice & criminal evidence act 1999 S16?
Vulnerable witnesses -
children under 18 YO.
People whose quality of evidence is likely to be diminished because they: suffer from a mental disorder or, have a significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning or have a physical disability or are suffering from a physical disorder.
What are some behavioural indicators of vulnerability?
Difficulty in communicating without assistance or interpretation.
difficulty in understanding questions and instructions.
Speech is difficult to understand or there is no or limited speech.
restoring inappropriately or inconsistently to questions.
appears to focus or irrelevant small points, but no important ones.
Unable to read or write.
Appears eager to please or to repeat what you say.
Confused by what is said or what is happening.
What is the youth justice and criminal evidence act 1999 S17?
Intimidated witnesses - witnesses in criminal proceedings (other than the accused) whose quality of evidence is likely to be diminished by reason of fear or distress in connection with testifying in proceedings.
What is a repeat victim?
A victim of the same type of crime more than once in the last year.
