Appendix A: Canadian Statement of Basic Principles (1988 and 2003)

1988 Principles

  1. Victims should be treated with courtesy, compassion and with respect for their dignity and privacy and should suffer the minimum of necessary inconvenience from their involvement with the criminal justice system.
  2. Victims should receive, through formal and informal procedures, prompt and fair redress for the harm which they have suffered.
  3. Information regarding remedies and mechanisms to obtain them should be made available to victims.
  4. Information should be made available to victims about their participation in criminal proceedings and the scheduling, progress and ultimate disposition of the proceedings.
  5. Where appropriate, the view and concerns of victims should be ascertained and assistance provided throughout the criminal process.
  6. Where the personal interests of the victim are affected, the views or concerns of the victim should be brought to the attention of the court, where appropriate and consistent with criminal law and procedure.
  7. Measures should be taken when necessary to ensure the safety of victims and their families and to protect them from intimidation and retaliation.
  8. Enhanced training should be made available to sensitize criminal justice personnel to the needs and concerns of victims and guidelines developed, where appropriate for this purpose.
  9. Victims should be informed of the availability of health and social services and other relevant assistance so that they might continue to receive the necessary medical, psychological and social assistance through existing programs and services.
  10. Victims should report the crime and cooperate with the law enforcement authorities.

2003 Principles

  1. Victims of crime should be treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect.
  2. The privacy of victims should be considered and respected to the greatest extent possible.
  3. All reasonable measures should be taken to minimize inconvenience to victims.
  4. The safety and security of victims should be considered at all stages of the criminal justice process and appropriate measures should be taken when necessary to protect victims from intimidation and retaliation.
  5. Information should be provided to victims about the criminal justice system and the victim's role and opportunities to participate in criminal justice processes.
  6. Victims should be given information, in accordance with prevailing law, policies, and procedures, about the status of the investigation; the scheduling, progress and final outcome of the proceedings; and the status of the offender in the correctional system.
  7. Information should be provided to victims about available victim assistance services, other programs and assistance available to them, and means of obtaining financial reparation.
  8. The views, concerns and representations of victims are an important consideration in criminal justice processes and should be considered in accordance with prevailing law, policies and procedures.
  9. The needs, concerns and diversity of victims should be considered in the development and delivery of programs and services, and in related education and training.
  10. Information should be provided to victims about available options to raise their concerns when they believe that these principles have not been followed.