Victims Rights Act 2002 Flashcards
What is the vision of victim support?
We are dedicated to professionally and sustainably serving victims
What are 3 promises victim support make to communities?
Available 24/7
Make a positive difference
Promise to get people the help they need
What year is the victims Rights Act?
2002
What is the golden rule of dealing with victims?
Treat victims as you would expect to be treated yourself.
What is Section 7?
Courtesy and compassion
What is Section 8?
Access to service
What is Section 11?
Inform victims of Services available
What is section 12?
Supplying information
What is section 51?
Return of property
Explain the definition of a victim?
A person against whom an offence has been committed by another person
What is the purpose of the Victims Rights Act 2002?
The act is designed to look after the interests of victims and see that all their needs are met. As an investigator, you are responsible for seeing that obligations to the victim under the Act are carried out to the best of your ability.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Define Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a serious psychological disorder in which the victim repeatedly re-experiences the events surrounding the offence.
PTSD is also fairly common amongst returning war veterans.
What are the most common emotional characteristics for a victim in the IMPACT STAGE?
Numbness Disorientation Immobilisation Feelings of unreality Child like dependence
What are the strongest emotions for a victim in the RECOIL STAGE?
Anger or rage Fear or terror Fristration Confussion Guilt or self-blame Violation Great shifts in mood
What are PTSD symptoms?
Startled response (jumpiness) Disturbed sleep Guilt Concentration problems Memory problems Flashbacks Emotional distress Inability to re-enter normal activity
Interviewing vicims; what not to do?
Judge the victims conduct or feelings
Ask questions that indicate the victim is to blame
Tell victims that “all is right” or “all is well”. To the victim, all is NOT well
Say you know how they feel… you don’t
Touch or hold victims unless they show signs they welcome this
Force victims to tell details of the event if they are reluctant to do so
Over power the interview
Take silence as a negative attitude
Turn what the interviewee is saying into your own words or ‘police-speak’
Interviewing victims; what to do?
Make the setting for the interview as safe, comfortable and private as possible.
Introduce yourself and say why you are there.
Hold the interview as soon as possible after the offence.
Keep the questions as simple as possible.
Ask the questions one at a time to avoid confusion.
Ask the victim to state in their own words what happened.
Allow the victim to ‘save-face’ if they make a mistake.
Help prepare the victim for future contact with criminal justice system.
As well as listening, onserve the victims non-verbal communication.
Use open questions.
