Helen McEntee

The website aims to bring together all the information a victim of crime might need to know about their rights and about what to expect from their engagement with the criminal justice system.

It also provides details of all the different supports that are available both when engaging with the criminal justice system and more generally. It presents the information in an easily accessible and user-friendly way that will allow victims of crime to quickly and easily find the information they need.

The 2017 Act awareness campaign will include the roll out of the physical, printed promotion material, translated into Irish and a number of major languages, drawing attention to the Victims Charter.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “People who are the victims of crime are often initially in shock and don’t know where to go for information.

“Some people might want to know if there is an organisation they can reach out and talk to, others may want to know how to report what has happened. Some might want to know where to go for medical help or legal advice.

“The Victims Charter website brings all of this information, and more, together in one place and presents it in a way that makes it easy to navigate.”

The development of the website fulfils one of the recommendations of the O’Malley report into protections for vulnerable witnesses in the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences, and it includes a dedicated section for victims of sexual offences.

Ms McEntee said: “Victims of sexual assault have been subjected to the most difficult experience of their lives. Recovering from a sexual assault or abuse is an extremely difficult and traumatic process, and that process is different for everyone.

“This website aims to provide victims with every piece of information they need as they begin their individual process of recovery. Victims of abuse or sexual violence need to know the supports that are available, whether they are ready to report the crime or not.

“I want people to have confidence in our criminal justice system and know that it will support them every time they need it, but I also want victims to know they are not alone.”

The website also provides information about the court process, outlining what happens when a case goes to court and what will be required of a victim during the trial.

It provides contact details for organisations which can accompany a victim during this process to provide support. It also outlines information on the special facilities provided by the Courts Service, such as special waiting areas and the use of video links for giving evidence.

Ms McEntee added: “We know that the need to support victims does not stop when the trial is over. There is information on what happens when a perpetrator is sentenced and on the right of a victim to be heard in that process and the website will continue to be developed to include links to other specialist services that will be of assistance to victims.

“It also provides details of how to register with the Irish Prison Service Victim Liaison Officer so that victims can be informed of any significant developments in the management of the perpetrators sentence, including any impending release.

“Officials in my Department are also working hard to prepare for the commencement the provisions of the Parole Act 2019, which will enhance the rights of victims even further.”