Victims of Crime: Codes of Practice Flashcards
Q: What is the Victims Code?
Focuses on the Victims’ Rights.
Sets out the minimum standard that organisations, such as the police, must provide to victim’s of crime.
There are 12 rights.
Q: What are the 12 Rights? 1-3
1- Right to be able to understand and be understood.
Victims have the right to be given information in a way that is easy to understand and to be provided with help to be understood, including where necessary access to interpretation and translation services.
2- Right to have the details of the crime recorded without unjustified delay.
Crime must be recorded by the police as soon as possible after the incident. If a victim is required to provide a statement or be interviewed, they have the right to be provided with additional support.
3- Right to be provided with information when reporting the crime
Victims have the right to receive written confirmation when recording a crime, to be provided with info on the CJS process and to be told about victim services.
Q: What are the 12 Rights? 4-6
4- Right to be referred to victim services and have this support tailored to their needs.
This includes direct communication with the service and to have their needs assessed so the support can meet their needs. If eligible, they have the right to specialist support services and to be told about additional support available at court.
5- Right to be provided with info about compensation
Where eligible, victims have the right to be told how to claim compensation for any loss, damage or injury caused as a result of the crime.
6- Right to be provided with info about the investigation and prosecution
Victims have the right to be provided with updates on the case and to be told when important decisions are taken. They have the right to ask for decisions to be looked at again at certain stages of the process by the relevant service provider.
Q: What are the 12 Rights? 7-9
7- Right to make a Victim Person Statement
Victims have the right to make a VPS which tells the court how the crime has affected the individual whether physically, emotionally, financially or any other way. It should be considered by the Judge or Magistrate when sentencing the offender. A bereaved close relative may make a VPS and businesses who are impacted can make an impact statement for businesses.
8- Right to be given info about the trial, trial process and the victim’s role as a witness
Vitim’s have the right, if a case goes to court, to be told the time, date and location of any hearing and the outcome of those hearings in a timely way. If the victim is required to give evidence, they should be offered the appropriate help eg: special measures.
9- Right to be given info about the outcome of the case and any appeals
Q: What are the 12 Rights? 10-12
10- Right to be paid expenses and have property returned.
If required to attend court and give evidence, the victim has the right to claim certain expenses. If the property was taken as evidence, they have the right to get it back as soon as possible.
11- Right to be given info about the offender following a conviction
Where eligible, victims have the right to be automatically referred to the victim contact scheme, which will provide info about the offender and their progress in prison and if and when eligible for consideration of parole/release. Where applicable, they have the right to make a new VPS, stating how the crime continues to affect them.
12- Right to make a complaint about these rights not being met.
What about vulnerable victims?
The Code also gives enhanced rights to victims who are particularly vulnerable such as those that are the victims of the most serious crimes or who have been persistently targeted.
VPS’ are supposed to relate to the specifics of the particular crime alleged, rather than being an opportunity to mount a general character assignation of the suspect.
