Page 4024 - Week 13 - Thursday, 10 November 1994
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The legislative measures contained in the Victims of Crime Bill are: Establishing a code of acceptable conduct for criminal justice system officers who deal with victims of crime; and providing for the appointment of a victims of crime coordinator. The code of conduct for criminal justice system officers who deal with victims of crime consists of a number of governing principles for the treatment of victims of crime. Officers who have a function within the criminal justice system are required to have regard to those principles in exercising their functions. The principles are designed to ensure that the needs of victims of crime are, as far as possible, factors in decision making related to the administration of justice.
The role of the victims of crime coordinator will be to ensure that the needs of victims of crime are appropriately catered for by the criminal justice process. In keeping with this role, the coordinator will have a number of specific functions. These will include: Promoting the principles for the treatment of victims of crime; encouraging the efficient and effective delivery of services to victims of crime; promoting reforms in the criminal justice system to meet the needs of victims; developing educational and other programs to promote awareness of the position of victims in the criminal justice system and their needs; disseminating information about the Act and the role of the coordinator; maintaining a register of services available to victims; ensuring, as far as practicable, that victims receive the information and assistance they need to participate in the criminal justice system; and advising the Government on matters relating to victims.
Apart from the powers necessary to perform these functions, the coordinator is also specifically granted a power of investigation where a complaint is made about the treatment of a victim of crime and the power to attend closed criminal proceedings. Funding for the coordinator was set aside in the budget for this financial year. Mr Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the service will be provided through the Victims of Crime Assistance League, which provides services by and for victims. VOCAL has entered into contractual arrangements with the ACT Government to receive that money and provide that service.
This Bill is an important milestone in the history of victims' rights in the ACT. It will help to ensure that victims are accorded recognition and dignity within the criminal justice system. Hopefully, it will promote the criminal justice system as an important element in the healing of victims of crime in this Territory. I commend the Bill to the Assembly and present the explanatory memorandum.
Debate (on motion by Mr Humphries) adjourned.
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