Dealing With Victims Flashcards
Responsibility to Vicitms During Investigations
Section 8:
SECTION 8:ACCESS TO SERVICES
Victims and where needed, their families should have access to welfare, health, counseling, medical and legal assistance responsive to their needs.
( assistance available will differ from area to area.)
Responsibility to Vicitms During Investigations
Section 7:
Sect 7 COURTESY AND COMPASSION
members of police, prosecutors, judicial officers, counsel, court officials and others dealing with victims should treat them with COURTESY, COMPASSION, AND SHOW RESPECT FOR THEIR PERSONAL DIGNITY AND PRIVACY
Responsibility to Vicitms During Investigations
Section 11:
SECTION 11: INFORM VICTIMS 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.
VICTIMS HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT SERVICES CAN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. Eg. Victim Support, Rape Crisis Centre, Women’s Refuge, Social Welfare a counseling Service, ACC.
Responsibility to Vicitms During Investigations
Section 12:
SECTION 12: SUPPLYING INFORMATION
The prosecuting authority must advise the victims of the:
P rogress of the investigation A ction taken charges filed D ate and place of proceedings R ole of victim as a witness O outcome of proceedings
(Many people are frightened of going to court as a witness, so you should explain in detail what will happen and what is required. In centres where VICTIM COURT ADVISORS are available, the police’s role in assisting victims is greatly enhanced.)
Responsibility to Vicitms During Investigations
Section 51:
SECTION 51: RETURN OF PROPERTY
A person’s property ( other than the property of the defendant) held for evidential purposes must be returned as soon as practicable when it is no longer required as evidence.
Once exhibits are no longer required, they must be returned.
What is the Golden Rule?
THE GOLDEN RULE=
TREAT VICTIMS AS YOU WOULD EXPECT TO BE TREATED YOURSELF.
What is the definition of a victim?
(i) A person against whom an offence is committed by another person.
(ii) A person, who through, or by means of, an offence committed by another person, suffers physical injury, or loss of, or damage to property.
(iii) A parent or legal guardian of a child, or of a young person who falls within (i) or (ii) - unless that parent or guardian is the person charged/ convicted.
(iv) a member of the immediate family of a person who, as a result of an offence committed by another person, dies or is incapable, unless that family member is the person charged or convicted.
What is the definition of:
Immediate Family?
A member of the victims family, whanau, or other culturally recognized family group who is in a close relationship with the victim at the time of the offence, and
For the avoidance of doubt, includes persons whose relationship to the victim at the time is close, ie. spouse, de facto partner, child or stepchild, brother or stepbrother, sister or stepsister, parent or stepparent and grandparent.
What is the purpose of the VICTIMS RIGHTS ACT 2002?
Designed to look after the interests of victims and to see their needs are met.
What is the Pol 1065?
A form completed by the victim if they ask to be notified. This is used for both new requests and updating information such as contact details.
What are the 2 stages of
EMOTIONAL REACTIONS TO VICTIMISATION?
- The Impact Stage
This occurs immediately after offence. The victim is in a kind of shock. The most common characteristics are:
C HILDLIKE dependencies(unable to make simplest decisions)
F eelings of unreality (“can’t be happening!”)
I mmobilisation (unable to actively deal with situation)
N umbness (being unable to feel)
D isorientation (confused about where they are, what time it is, and so on.)
- The Recoil Stage
The recoil stage occurs when victims begin to adapt to what happened to them and to put their lives together again. The recoil stage goes on for years.
Fear or terror Frustration Anger and fear Guilt or self blame Great shifts in mood Violation Confusion
What are POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER symptoms?
M- memory problems I- inability to re-enter norm. activity S- startled response F- flashbacks E- emotional distress D disturbed sleep
