Charlie Flanagan

The previous version of the Charter dates from 2010 and the updated version, available on www.victimscharter.ie, takes account of changes in the law since then, particularly the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017.

The Charter sets out information on the services offered by the State as well as voluntary groups who work with victims of crime. It sets out how to get in touch with those services and what supports they can offer to victims of crime.

The Charter describes the criminal justice system from the perspective of a victim of crime, so that they can understand what to expect from their interaction with it.

Mr Flanagan said: “Becoming a victim of a crime can be a deeply traumatic experience. I appreciate that it can be daunting for victims to begin the process of dealing with and recovering from their experience. Victims of crime are entitled to our support in that process.

“I am delighted to publish the Victims Charter which aims to assist victims of crime to quickly and easily find information on the services available to them.

“During the updating process, I and my officials were very conscious of the views expressed by victims of crime, and we have endeavoured to reflect that feedback in the new Charter.”

He added: “A valuable new component of the Charter is the inclusion, for the first time, of information on consular assistance available to support Irish victims of crime abroad.

“The Charter is a living document and it will be updated and expanded on an ongoing basis, to ensure that victims of crime have access at all times to the most up to date and relevant information.”