A new charter outlining the rights and entitlements of victims of crime was unveiled today by Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern.
The Victims Charter and Guide to the Criminal Justice System sets out the range of support services and helplines available to the public, placing victims at the centre of the Justice system.
It gives definitive commitments to victims of crime on behalf of the eight main criminal justice agencies (the Garda, courts, DPP, probation, prisons, Legal Aid Board, Coroner Service and criminal injuries compensation tribunal).
Among the commitments given is the presence of family liaison officers in the Garda Síochána for all serious cases involving death; ethnic liaison officers and gay liaison officers for dealing with homophobic crimes.
Speaking at the unveiling in Dublin, Mr Ahern said: “The new Charter is written in plain English, accessible to victims and to front line staff in the criminal justice agencies. Its common sense English should minimise any confusion about what victims can expect and what is expected of the criminal justice system.”
The National Crime Victims Helpline said many people who are crime victims find the entire investigation and court process difficult and stressful.
Maeve Ryan, co-ordinator of the Crime Victims Helpline, said: “This Charter will assist the many people who are crime victims and who feel unsupported by the criminal justice system".
“They [victims of crime] often see the person who has committed the crime being well supported by a legal team and they feel unsupported and isolated,” she added.
Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop, director of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said victims of crime were often so traumatised that they did not know what to do or where to turn for help.
"We would hope that this charter will be an aid to helping victims stay the course, by knowing and availing of the relevant services which are set out so clearly in this new publication," she said.