Police Service to victims

Question 1

Who is a victim?

Answer 1

• A person whom an offence is committed
• A person who through means of an offence suffers injury or loss or damage of property
• A parent or legal guardian or a child who falls within above two points
• A member of the immediate family of a person who dies or is incapable

Question 2

Victim Rights Act 2002 s7&8

Answer 2

• A victim must be treated with courtesy and compassion and have their dignity and privacy respected.
• A victim who has health, welfare, counselling needs arising from the offence should be informed of and have access to programmes, remedies or services responsive to those needs

Question 3

Explain short-term reactions in relation to victims

Answer 3

victims seen immediately after crime are likely to be in first stage reaction. The reactions can include; shock, disbelief and denial.

Question 4

what are the signs and symptoms of short term physical reactions?

Answer 4

• Frozen Fright- shock, numbness, fainting, nausea, dull eyes
• Fight or Flight- agitation, loud screaming, nausea and vomiting, rapid breathing and loss of emotional control

Question 5

Explain long-term reactions in relation to victims

Answer 5

Shock, disbelief and denial may last for months. exhaustion is long term.

Question 6

What is Victim Focus?

Answer 6

Its about reducing repeat victimisation by improving our service to victims of crime and adjusting our response to better meet their needs.

Question 7

What is the purpose of the victim focus framework?

Answer 7

Reduce repeat victimisations through the country. It focuses on the victim from first point of contact.

Question 8

What is the VHS?

Answer 8

Victim History Scorecard- this is a calculated score based on various factors such as; seriousness of offence,number of offences

Question 9

What are the key steps for all police employees in cases involving victims?

Answer 9

1. find out if a victim has been victim before
2. Apply the graduated response model. Give prevention advice to all victims
3. Capture accurate victim details
4. Enter complete victim details into NIA
5. Victims must be contacted at every significant change in case
6. Comply with the victim rights act 2002
7. use tasking process to create prevention tasks
8. create and manage case plans for victims

Question 10

VRA2002 S7-Treatment of victims

Answer 10

any person who deals with victim should treat that person with courtesy and compassion, and respect their dignity and privacy

Question 11

VRA 2002 S8- Access to services

Answer 11

a victim or a member of the victims family who has welfare, health, counselling, medical or legal needs arising from the offence should have access to services that are responsive to those needs

Question 12

VRA 2002 S6- Restorative Justice

Answer 12

• A victim may request to meet with the offender to resolve issues relating to the offence
• a member of court staff, Police or Probations must refer request and facilitate a meeting

Question 13

VRA 2002 S11- Information about programmes

Answer 13

As soon as practicable the victim is entitled to be give information about programmes, remedies or services available to them

Question 14

VRA 2002 S12- Information about proceedings

Answer 14

A victim and others disadvantaged by an offence must receive information about the investigation.
- specific scions being taken against accused
- specific information about proceedings
Note: information can be withheld for good reason

Question 15

VRA 2002 S11 & S12 information can be given to victim support person if;

Answer 15

• One is nominated in writing by the victim or
• if the victim cannot receive it or
• may or may not be capable alone of understanding

Question 16

VRA 2002 S16-Privacy of victims

Answer 16

Information that identifies or may lead to the identification of the contact details of the victim, may only be given in evidence with the leave of the judicial officer

Question 17

Right to be notified of bail

Answer 17

ALL victims have the right to be notified about the outcome of bail

Question 18

VRA 2002 S51- Return of property

Answer 18

Victims property held as evidence must be returned as soon as practicable after it is no longer needed

Question 19

VRA 2002 S49- Complaints Process

Answer 19

Victims have the right to complain to the IPCA if they feel they haven’t been afforded their rights

Question 20

Only victims of offences specified by VRA 2002 S29 can go on VNR. The offence must be?

Answer 20

• a sexual assault or other serious assault
• one that resulted in serious injury to a person, the death of a person or
• the victim has ongoing fears for their physical safety or security or that of their family

Question 21

What are VNR victims notified of?

Answer 21

-about bail, release, escape and death of an offender and defendant

Question 22

Police must refer to victims to Victim Support when;

Answer 22

• the incident is serious (serious crime, fatal or serious crash, completed suicide)
• including violence offences (greater than common assault)
• the victim is significantly affected by the incident or
• the victims are likely to be involved with the justice system for an extended period

Question 23

What are the timings for referral to victim support?

Answer 23

Police must make a referral immediately when the victim is significantly affected or
- at the earliest opportunity