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Federal Government - Statement of
Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime, 2003
In honour of the
United Nations' Declaration of Basic Principles of
Justice for Victims of Crime, and with concern for the
harmful impact of criminal victimization on individuals
and on society, and in recognition that all persons have
the full protection of rights guaranteed by the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms and other provincial
Charters governing rights and freedoms; that the rights
of victims and offenders need to be balanced; and of the
shared jurisdiction of federal, provincial, and
territorial governments, the federal, provincial, and
territorial Ministers Responsible for Criminal Justice
agree that the following principles should guide the
treatment of victims, particularly during the criminal
justice process.
The following
principles are intended to promote fair treatment of
victims and should be reflected in
federal/provincial/territorial laws, policies and
procedures:
| 1. |
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Victims of crime should be
treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect. |
| 2. |
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The privacy of victims should
be considered and respected to the greatest extent possible. |
| 3. |
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All reasonable measures should
be taken to minimize inconvenience to victims. |
| 4. |
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The safety and security of
victims should be considered at all stages of the criminal justice
process and appropriate measures should be taken when necessary to
protect victims from intimidation and retaliation. |
| 5. |
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Information should be provided
to victims about the criminal justice system and the victim’s role
and opportunities to participate in criminal justice processes. |
| 6. |
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Victims should be given
information, in accordance with prevailing law, policies, and
procedures, about the status of the investigation; the scheduling,
progress and final outcome of the proceedings; and the status of the
offender in the correctional system. |
| 7. |
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Information should be provided
to victims about available victim assistance services, other
programs and assistance available to them, and means of obtaining
financial reparation. |
| 8. |
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The views, concerns and
representations of victims are an important consideration in
criminal justice processes and should be considered in accordance
with prevailing law, policies and procedures. |
| 9. |
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The needs, concerns and
diversity of victims should be considered in the development and
delivery of programs and services, and in related education and
training. |
| 10. |
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Information should be provided
to victims about available options to raise their concerns when they
believe that these principles have not been followed. |
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