1. Victims’ Rights

2. VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Lesson goal
To make students aware of the rights of victims of crime in Virginia

3. Students will learn: Provisions of Virginia’s Victims Bill of Rights
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Students will learn:
Provisions of Virginia’s Victims Bill of Rights
Examples of rights of victims and witnesses
Assistance available to victims and witnesses of crime
What domestic and sexual assault violence are
Assistance available to victims of domestic and sexual violence

4. Virginia’s Victims Bill of Rights
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Virginia’s Victims Bill of Rights
Virginia law contains a Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act, usually referred to as the Victims Bill of Rights. (Code of Virginia § )

5. VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Who is a victim?
Virginia’s Victims Bill of Rights recognizes victims as anyone who has suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a direct result of a crime or certain delinquent acts.
When the victim is a minor (under 18 years of age), the definition of victim includes his or her parents or guardians.

6. The Victims Bill of Rights
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
The Victims Bill of Rights
Is intended to ensure that crime victims:
Have opportunity to make the courts aware of the full impact of crime
Are treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity and have their privacy protected
Are informed of their rights
Receive authorized services
Are heard at all critical stages of the criminal justice process

7. Which specific rights do victims have?
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Which specific rights do victims have?
Being notified of court dates
Remaining in the courtroom during hearings
Giving victim impact statements at sentencing hearings. The victim impact statement gives the victim the opportunity to tell the court, in writing, the impact of the crime(s). Victims may also be given the opportunity to testify, at the sentencing hearing, regarding the impact of the crime(s).

8. Other provisions of the bill
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Other provisions of the bill
If the victim or witness cannot speak English or is hearing impaired, a court-approved interpreter may be appointed to assist during the criminal justice process, at no cost to the victim.
If a victim or witness is worried about having to wait in an area near the defendant or defense witnesses, a separate waiting area for victims and witnesses may be provided.
In some cases, victims may receive financial assistance.

9. Other provisions of the bill, continued
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Other provisions of the bill, continued
Crime victims may also bring civil lawsuits against perpetrators or other responsible parties to hold them accountable for harm suffered.
The specific rights victims have depend on case circumstances. In all cases specific information is available from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and/or the victim/witness program staff in your locality.

10. DCJS Card: Crime Victim & Witness Rights
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
DCJS Card: Crime Victim & Witness Rights
Summarizes victims rights and lists some specific steps
Two key resources listed on the card include:
Virginia Crime Victim Assistance INFO-LINE
Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline

11. Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
Domestic violence is a pattern of physically, sexually, and/or emotionally abusive behaviors used by one individual to assert power or maintain control over another in the context of an intimate or family relationship.
If you believe a friend is in serious danger, talk with an adult you trust immediately about your friend’s situation so that you aren’t carrying the burden by yourself.
Do not try to “rescue” your friend or try to handle the situation on your own.

12. Victims of sexual assault
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Victims of sexual assault
Sexual assault is sexual abuse of an individual by the use of force, threat, or intimidation. Rape, sodomy, sexual battery, and attempts to commit these crimes are some of the several types of sexual assault offenses. Sometimes sexual assault is a form of domestic violence.
If a friend has been sexually assaulted, it is important for the friend to get help.

13. Assistance for victims
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Assistance for victims
Resources:
A key resource for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault is the Family Violence and Sexual Assault 24-hour Hotline:
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance website:
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services website:

14. Review and recap You have learned: Specific provisions of the law
VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
Review and recap
You have learned:
Specific provisions of the law
Some examples of rights of victims and witnesses
Types of assistance available to victims and witnesses of crime
What domestic and sexual violence are
Assistance available to victims of domestic and sexual violence