Victims' rights
As a victim of crime, you have rights. The Victims Charter sets out the rights and principles of treatment for victims of crime. You can expect to:
- be treated with respect for your dignity and privacy and with courtesy and compassion
- get information about services and programmes that may help address your needs, and any actions a court can take to help you
- get information about the investigation of the offence and any specific actions being taken against the accused person
- be given the opportunity to make a written statement about the impact the crime has had on you. This is called a victim impact statement.
In some cases you can also expect to:
- have the opportunity to give your views and get information about the release of the accused person on bail
- be offered the choice to get information about the offender such as the release of the offender from prison, or their temporary release or escape from prison. This process is called the victim notification system
- be given the opportunity, if you are part of the victim notification system, to make submissions on any decision to parole the offender if the prison sentence is longer than two years.
If you think your rights have not been met, or you have not received the standard of service you expect, call the Victims of Crime Information Line on 0800 650 654 or visit www.victimsinfo.govt.nz to see the Victims Charter and find out how you can make a complaint.
