Youth Victims Of Crime

Who Are Youth Victims of Crime?

Any youth can become a victim of crime. There are two common types of crime that youth can become victims of: violent crimes and property crimes. Victims of violent crimes may suffer physical injury. Victims of property crimes suffer damage to or loss of property. Individual reactions to a crime vary with the type of crime and the nature of loss. Most victims experience a range of reactions from anger and bitterness to fear and helplessness.

Who is Responsible for Helping Victims of Crime?

Both the federal and provincial governments share responsibility in meeting the needs of victims of crime and providing a role for victims in the criminal justice system. The federal government creates and amends criminal law as set out in the Criminal Code. The provincial governments enforce the law, prosecute offenders and provide services and support to victims of crime.

All Ministers responsible for criminal justice in Canada recognize the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime. The key principles include:

• treating victims with courtesy, compassion and respect for their dignity and privacy;
• giving victims a role in all criminal justice proceedings and acting on their concerns and wishes, whenever possible;
• ensuring the safety and protection of victims and their families;
• fairly redressing victims for the harm suffered and sharing information about remedies and mechanisms for obtaining redress;
• training criminal justice staff to respond to the unique needs and concerns of each victim;
• helping victims through the criminal justice process, informing them about services, and keeping them updated on progress in their cases and the outcomes of criminal proceedings.