Dealing with Victims Flashcards
Describe who is a victim under the Victim’s Rights Act 2002:
The person whom the offence was committed against
A person, who, through or by means of, an offence committed against another person suffers physical injury, or loss of, or damage to property
A parent or legal guardian of a child, or young person who falls within 1 & 2 above - unless the parent or guardian is the person charged/convicted of the offence
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/convicted of the offence
What are the provisions of Section 7 of the Victims Rights Act 2002?
Courtesy, compassion and respect for their personal dignity and privacy.
What are the provisions of Section 8 of the Victims Rights Act 2002?
Victims and, where needed, their families should have access to welfare, health, counselling, medical and legal assistance responsive to their needs.
What are the provisions of Section 11 of the Victims Rights Act 2002?
Victims should be informed at the earliest opportunity of the programmes, services and remedies available to them.
What are the provisions of Section 12 of the Victims Rights Act 2002?
The prosecuting authority should advise 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
What are the provisions of Section 51 of the Victims Rights Act 2002?
A persons property (other than the defendants) held for evidential purposes must be returned as soon as practicable when it is no longer required as evidence.
Explain the purpose of the POL 1060?
It has been designed to ensure that Police staff meet the requirements of the Victim’s Rights Act 2002.
It records Police contact with the victim as well as being used to confirm that you have meet your obligations.
State the golden rule when dealing with victims?
Treat them as how you would want to be treated.
What are some of the most common emotional reactions experienced during the impact stage of victimisation?
Numbness
Disorientation
Immobilisation
Feelings of unreality
Childlike dependence
What are some of the most common emotional reactions experienced during the recoil stage of victimisation?
Anger or Rage
Fear or Terror
Frustration
Confusion
Guilt or Self-blame
Violation
Great shifts in mood
Define Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
It is a serious psychological disorder in which the victim repeatedly re-experiences the events surrounding the offence.
What are the main symptoms of PTSD
Startled response (jumpiness)
Disturbed sleep
Guilt
Memory problems
Concentration problems
Flashbacks
Emotional distress
Inability to re-enter normal activity
What are some of the ‘Do’s’ when interviewing victims?
Make the interview safe, comfortable and private
Introduce yourself and say why you are there
Hold the interview as soon as possible after the offence
Keep the questions as simple as possible
Ask questions one at a time, to avoid further confusion
Allow the victim to ‘safe face’ if they make a mistake
Help prepare the victim for future contact with the criminal justice system
As well as listening, observe the victims non-verbal communication
Use open questions
What are some of the ‘Don’ts’ when interviewing victims?
Judge the victims conduct or feelings
Ask questions that indicate the victim is to blame
Tell the victim that ‘all is right’ or ‘all is well. To the victim all is not well
Say you know how they feel - you don’t
Touch or hold victims unless they show signs that they welcome this
Force victims to tell details of the offence if they are reluctant to do so
Overpower the interview
Take silence as a negative attitude
Turn what the victim is saying into your own words or ‘Police-speak’
