Victims’ rights experts call for implementation of EU Victims’ Directive

Victims’ rights experts have marked EU Victims’ Day by calling for the full implementation of the EU Victims’ Directive across Europe.

Maria McDonald BL, founding member of the Victims’ Rights Alliance (VRA), said the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 — which enshrined the Directive into Irish law — was “a huge step forward for Ireland”.

Ms McDonald (pictured) added: “However, a number of things remain outstanding, including the creation of an Ombudsman for Victims and the publication of Guidelines for Intermediaries.”

Intermediaries are trained experts who can explain questions asked by barristers and help clarify answers provided by vulnerable victims, such as very young children who may have been victims of abuse.

The Victims’ Rights Alliance and Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) have today launched a new guide on the Directive and the Irish legislation, aimed at anyone working with victims in the justice system.

Ms McDonald said: “In launching this guide, we are also aiming to open discussions on innovative ways to protect victims as they encounter possibly traumatic difficulties in the legal system.

“For example, in the UK, children who have been victims of serious crimes have been allowed to bring toys or pets into the witness box with them. Indeed, in the US, specially trained dogs are allowed to accompany vulnerable witnesses in court as they testify. Here, however, these examples of best practice are not possible because we arguably need to have Guidelines for Intermediaries published first.”

The free guide complements the ICCL and VRA’s online course run in conjunction with The Bar of Ireland and the Law Society of Ireland.

The ICCL’s Liam Herrick said: “We’re thrilled that, so far, 275 people from all sectors of the legal, political and enforcement communities, have signed up to our online course on the Victims’ Directive. This increased awareness of victims’ rights and needs can only improve the experience of victims as they interact with the legal system.”

The ICCL is facilitating working groups on 9 April on innovative ways to protect victims in the legal system, with a guest from the Seattle-based Courthouse Dogs Foundation speaking to legal professionals about the impact specially trained court dogs have had in the US.