Victims rights act 2002

Question 1

Definition: Victim

Answer 1

• A person who the offence was committed against
• A person who suffers physical injury or loss of or damage to property as a result of an offence committed by another
• A parent/legal guardian of a child/young person who falls within (1) or (2) unless they are the offender
• An immediate family member of a person, as a result of an offence committed by another, who dies or is rendered incapable. Unless that person is charged, convicted, pleas or is found guilty of the offence.

Question 2

Definition: Immediate Family Member

Answer 2

• A member of the persons family, whanau, or other culturally recognised family group who is in a close relationship with the victim at the time of the offence.

Such as:

• Spouse
• Child or Step child
• Victims sibling or step sibling
• A parent or step parent of the victim
• A grandparent of the victim

Question 3

Section 7 Victims Rights Act 2002

Answer 3

Must treat the victim with courtesy and compassion and respect the victims dignity and privacy.

Question 4

Section 8 Victims Rights Act 2002

Answer 4

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 the relevant services.

A victim should, as soon as practicable, be given information about programmes, remedies and services available

Question 5

Section 12 Victims Rights Act 2002

Answer 5

Information about proceedings.

The victim must, as soon as practicable be given information about the following:

• The progress
• The charges laid/reasons for not laying charges
• The victims role as witness
• The date and place of all hearings in relation to the offence
• the outcome of the prosecution

Question 6

Section 29 Offences defined

Answer 6

A specific offence is:

• An offence of a sexual nature
• An offence of a serious assault that is not of a sexual nature
• An offence that has resulted in serious injury, death or in a person becoming incapable
• An offence of another kind that has led to the victim having ongoing fears on reasonable grounds for his / her physical safety or for the physical safety of 1 or more of their family members.