The victim and their rights
Victim
A victim is a person who has suffered harm as a result of a criminal offence committed against that person or another person. This harm may be :
property damage;
physical harm;
emotional harm;
economic loss.
The victim is not a party to the proceedings. The CETM may, however, grant a person the status of victim during the hearing.
Victim's Rights
Victim have the following rights. They are entitled to :
ask the CETM to send them the notice of hearing and a copy of the minutes of the hearing;
be informed of their right to prepare a Victim Impact StatementThis hyperlink will open in a new window describing the harm suffered and the consequences of the accused’s conduct. This written statement must be filed with the CETM before the hearing. The CETM will send a copy to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions, the accused, and the accused’s lawyer, if any;
have the written statement read during the hearing or presented in any other way authorized by the CETM;
be informed of their right to file such a written statement with the Superior court of criminal jurisdiction that must review a finding of a high-risk accused;
ask that they be informed that a person accused has been granted a conditional or absolute discharge and his intended place of residence.
Victims may receive free help from the Crime Victims Assistance Centre (CAVAC).