Victims

Question 1

What is a Victim

Answer 1

Section 4, Victim rights act 2002

• Person who an offence is committed by another person and
• suffers physical injury, loss of or damage to property
• Parent or legal guardian of a child/young person who is a victim.
• Member of immediate family of a victim of an offence who dies or is incapable, unless they are charged with the offence concerned.

Question 2

Return of property as evidence

Answer 2

Section 51, Victims rights act

(1) Law enforcement agencies that hold property of a person (other than an offender) for
evidentiary purposes must, to the extent that it is possible to do so, return it to the person
as soon as practicable after they no longer need to hold it for those purposes.

Subsection (1) does not apply to a law enforcement agency if the person advises that
agency that he or she does not want the property returned.