Victim’s right to participation

Victims have the right to present victim impact statements and have them considered. Victims’ views about decisions that affect their rights will also need to be considered.

Changes to Laws

Right to participation

Victims have been provided with more meaningful participation in the criminal justice system through changes that:

An optional form for victim impact statements can also be used by a Review Board when making a decision about an accused person found to be not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder.

These rights are available to victims as of July 23, 2015 (90 days after Royal Assent to the Victims Bill of Rights Act).

Federal Corrections and Conditional Release

Victims have been provided with more meaningful participation in the corrections and conditional release system, including:

If they are unable to attend a parole hearing, victims will also have the ability to listen to an audio recording of the hearing.