Helpline’s valuable role - Support for victims of crime

The first element in fighting crime is to recognise the crimes that have taken place. To do this it is critical that people report crimes and not make the mistake of assuming that this would be more trouble than it is worth because nothing would happen.

Every so often a case arises in which the victims appear to be further victimised, either due to the insensitivity of the investigators or the media. The perception is damaging, and more concerted efforts should be made to ensure that victims do not think of the investigation process as amounting to further victimisation.

The Crime Victims Helpline emphasises the need for victims of crime to be kept informed throughout all stages of the criminal justice process. Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has given definite indications that forthcoming legislation will ensure that the needs of crime victims will be dealt with in a proper manner.

Crime is traumatic for its victims, so it is necessary that the authorities treat victims sensitively.

Victims should find the process reassuring rather than distressing and thereby adding to the initial trauma. The system must be acutely aware of its own deficiencies and be seen to be supportive.

People sometimes develop negative feelings about the investigative process. This adds to the impact of the crime itself. It is therefore important that victims should be informed about the progress of an investigation and not feel that they are being excluded.

Victims of crime should be made to feel that they are a vital part of the investigation, because they are actually an integral part of the whole process. Successful prosecutions are difficult, if not impossible, without the co-operation of victims. Investigators should be acutely aware of this, but some make the mistake of acting like their investigation is necessary because the victim reported the crime, rather than because a crime was committed in the first place.

Such insensitivity is both destructive and self-defeating. Many gardaí are sensitive to the dangers, but they can find themselves in a difficult position — caught between the rights of victims and suspects. Hence it is necessary that the rights of victims should be enshrined in comprehensive legislation. Some crime victims show incredible bravery in reporting crime and co-operating fully with the criminal process. It is crucial that they should be seen to have the full support of the system.

They deserve this support because they are making a valuable contribution to our society. It is further vital that such support should be seen in order to encourage others to report crimes. The National Crime Victims Helpline is playing a valuable role in the process by providing support for people who may be feeling isolated, anxious, sad, or confused a result of a crime.

Society should recognise that the real heroes in the battle against crime are the actual victims who have the courage to report the crime and assist the legal and judicial authorities in bringing the criminals to justice.