CANADIAN STATEMENT OF BASIC PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME

In recognition of the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime, Federal and Provincial Ministers Responsible for Criminal Justice agree that the following principles should guide Canadian society in promoting access to justice, fair treatment and provision of assistance for victims of crime.

• Victims should be treated with courtesy, compassion and with respect for their dignity and privacy and should suffer the minimum of inconvenience from their involvement with the criminal justice system.
• Victims should receive, through formal and informal procedures, prompt and fair redress for the harm, which they have suffered.

• Information regarding remedies and the mechanisms to obtain them should be made available to victims. 

• Information should be made available to victims about their participation in criminal proceeding and the scheduling, progress and the ultimate disposition of the proceedings.

• Where appropriate, the view and concerns of victims should be ascertained and assistance provided throughout the criminal process.

• Where the personal interests of the victims are affected, the views or concerns of the victim should be brought to the attention of the court, where appropriate and consistent with criminal law and procedure.

• Measures should be taken, when necessary, to ensure the safety of victims and their families and to protect them from intimidation and retaliation.

• Enhanced training should be made available to sensitize criminal justice personnel to the needs and concerns of victims and guidelines developed, where appropriate, for this purpose.

• Victims should be informed of the availability of health and social services and other relevant assistance so that they might continue to receive the necessary medical, psychological, and social assistance through existing programs and services.

• Victims should report the crime and cooperate with the law enforcement authorities.