By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:  LO1 Describe the role of the victim in the criminal justice system  LO2 Describe the rate of victimization in Canada  LO3 Identify those individuals who are most likely to be victimized in Canada  LO4 Examine the impact of victimization  LO5 Identify the legislation that protects the rights of victims on an international and a national level  LO6 Describe the organizations and the types of support available to victims in Canada  LO7 Examine the level of victim satisfaction with the criminal justice system Copyright 2013 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. 1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Copyright 2013 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. 2 LO6 Approximately 686 agencies or organizations provided victim assistance to 406,000 victims across Canada in 2007/2008.  Three times more female victims received assistance than men  Police-based victim services are the most common type of service available  Some provide specialized care (e.g. sexual assault care centres) or serve a specific demographic (e.g. youth, elderly) VICTIM SERVICES

Court-based victim services strive to make the process less intimidating. For children there are provisions to protect them as they are especially vulnerable.  A child’s evidence does not need to be corroborated to be accepted  A child’s testimony may be accepted via video, with a one-way screen, CCTV or with a support person  The court may not allow cross examination of a child witness by an adverse party Copyright 2013 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. 3 PROTECTION FOR CHILD VICTIMS/WITNESSES LO6

Each province/territory has a financial compensation program for victims which can help with  Expenses incurred through injury or death  Counselling costs  Prescription drug expenses  Protective services or expenses  Income support  Crime scene cleaning Copyright 2013 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. 4 FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS LO6