Victims of Crime Bill of Rights

It is an unacceptable aberration that after being victimised by perpetrators of crime, victims are virtually marginalized by the investigative and justice apparatus. The United Progressive Party will introduce a Victims of Crime Bill of Rights as a component of an overall platform for justice, peace and public safety.

The objective of the Victims of Crime Bill of Rights will be to preserve and protect victims of crime rights to justice and due process, and will mandate that a victim of crime has a right:

• To be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse, throughout the criminal justice process.
• To be informed, upon request, when the accused or convicted person is released from custody or has escaped.
• To receive prompt restitution from the person or persons convicted of the criminal conduct that caused the victim’s loss or injury; or from a Victims of Crimes Relief Fund when the perpetrators of the crime are impecunious.