Youth Victims Of Crime

Victim Voices - Are They Heard?

In the past, many people felt the justice system overlooked the needs of the victim. The crime was against the “state” and the victim was simply a “witness”. The accused seemed to have all the “rights and protections”.  The federal government has responded to this concern. For example, Justice Canada created a Policy Centre for Victim Issues. As well, amendments to the Criminal Code and other Acts have helped to:

• ensure the safety of victims
• enhance the role of victims in the criminal justice system
• increase victim surcharges to help provinces create services for victims
• assist victims in enforcing restitution orders
• provide victims with more access to information