ï· Who is a victim?
o A victim of crime is defined as a person who has suffered harm, including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering; economic loss; or substantial impairment of his or her fundamental rights, through acts or omissions that are in violation of our criminal law.
o Victim also includes, where appropriate, the immediate family or dependent of the direct victim.
o A person may be considered a victim regardless of whether the perpetrator is identified, apprehended, prosecuted or convicted and regardless of the familial relationship between perpetrator and the victim.
o Victim are inclusive of all without prejudice of any kind on the grounds of race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.
ï· What is secondary victimization?
o Secondary victimization as the 'victimization that occurs not as a direct result of the criminal act but through the response of institutions and individuals to the victim'.
ï· How many countries in the world have Victims Charters?
ï· What is the international instrument (document) that informs the Victims Charter (Where does the Victims Charter emanate from?
ï· What is victim compensation?
o Victim's compensation is provided for in Section 297 and 300 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. This is a right afforded to victims to claim compensation for loss or damages to property suffered as a result of crime committed against you.
o The prosecutor makes an application for compensation order during sentencing o The clerk of the court will provide assistance with enforcement of compensation order.