Crime victims urged to use new statutory rights

Victims of crime are being urged to use their newly granted rights to greater support and involvement in the criminal justice system.

An information booklet and a revamped website unveiled by the Crime Victims Helpline explain the changes introduced by the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 and encourage victims to make the most of the supports on offer.

Under the Act, introduced last November, victims now have a statutory right to written acknowledgement when they report a crime, a copy of their own statement, a point of contact within the Gardaí, and notification of all major developments in an investigation, including if and why a prosecution does not proceed and when any convicted person is given a release date from jail.