The Victims’ Rights Alliance (VRA) broadly welcomed the commencement of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 on Tuesday 28th November 2018 . The Bar of Ireland, The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), and The Law Society of Ireland will provide training for those who will implement the legislation.
Maria McDonald, BL, a founding member of the VRA, commented: ‘This is a landmark day for victims of crime in Ireland. For the first time, they are legally entitled to the right to information, support and protection. All criminal justice agencies engaging with victims of crime must ensure that victims get access to their rights or they risk being brought to court’.
The new legislation permits all victims of crime to provide a victim impact statement where previously only victims of the most serious crimes were permitted to do so. The Act also places an obligation on the Gardaí, the Garda Ombudsman, the DPP, the Courts Service and the Irish Prison Service to ensure that any communication with a victim is in simple language and that it takes account of any disability a victim may have. It states that victims of a crime must be provided with information on first contact with the Gardaí, and on any significant developments on their case.
The Bar of Ireland is collaborating with the ICCL and the Law Society, to launch a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for all those who will implement this legislation.
Liam Herrick said, ‘This course will provide participants with an understanding of the rights afforded to victims of crime under the EU Victims’ Directive and the new Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017. It will discuss the specific needs and best practice approaches to dealing with vulnerable victims and looking at case studies from overseas jurisdictions.’
Criminal Barrister and Vice Chair, Council of The Bar of Ireland Mary Rose Gearty SC said “The Bar of Ireland is one of a number of professional and State bodies involved in meeting and reassuring victims of crime as they come into contact with the court process. We hope that this online course will help lawyers to implement the new measures comprehensively and confidently as they continue to carry out this important work”.
Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton,formally launched the course at a lunchtime event at The Bar of Ireland today.
He said: “I want to wholeheartedly commend the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Victims Rights Alliance, the Bar of Ireland and the Law Society for their vision in promoting and leading out on this initiative.