Victim Rights

Question 1

Define: Victim

Victim Rights Act 2002

Answer 1

• Person whom an offence is committed by another person
• Suffers injury, loss, damage of property
• Parents of victim who (listed above)
• Member of immediate family (if above points met) and victim dies
• Emotional harm + parents
• Experienced domestic violence

Question 2

Immediate family includes

Answer 2

• Spouse, de facto, civil Union
• Child or step child
• Brother/sister or step brother/sister
• Parent or step parent
• Grandparent

Question 3

Police Role in Victim support

Answer 3

• Police must refer support services regardless of offence/incident nature
• ALWAYS IF:
  - serious offence (fatal crash, suicide, sudden death,
  including assault)
  - Victim significantly effected by incident
  - If victim is likely to be involved in justice system for
  a while

Question 4

Section 51 - Returning Property

Answer 4

Property held for evidential purposes should be returned as soon as no longer used

Question 5

Police must treat victims with:

Answer 5

• Curtesy + compassion (section 7) and

- Access to services, welfare, heath, counselling, medical and legal care (Section 8)

Question 6

Section 12 - Supplying Information to victims

Answer 6

Must supply info:

• Progress of investigation
• Changes and action taken
• date/place of proceedings
• role of victim as witness
• Outcomes of proceedings

Question 7

Emotional reactions to Victimisation

Answer 7

• Numbness
• Disorientation
• Immobilisation
• Feelings of unreality
• Childlike behaviours/thoughts/actions