This week is Victims of Crime Awareness Week in Canada.
It is a week that is dedicated to both remembering the personal cost of crime and the fact that there are services currently available, and others that need to be developed, to help victims of crime and their families.
Many people who are victims of crimes such as property crime, experience the usual frustration and inconvenience that comes with having valuables stolen or destroyed. While these crimes come at a personal financial cost and a cost to society, they usually don’t result in the victim seeking support as a result of the crime.
Crimes that result in a personal injury, physical threat or even the loss of a loved one leave a deep and long lasting emotional impact on the victim. This can be compounded when the person accused of committing the crime goes to court and the victim or their family are provided little information or input about the judicial process.
I often hear complaints from people that the justice system seems to be designed simply for the convenience of the person accused of the crime while the victim of the crime is given no rights or consideration. While there is legislation in most provinces now that outline the rights that victims have during a court process, most do not go far enough in ensuring that a victim of crime does not come away from the court process feeling they have been victimized again.
It is important that, especially in cases involving bodily harm, victims and their families are kept aware of the court process and that they are given meaningful opportunities for input on how they would like to see a prosecution proceed.
During Victims of Crime Awareness Week it is also important to remember that there are many more victims of crime than are reported in traditional crime statistics. In fact, it is estimated that between 30% and 50% of all crimes go unreported. Crimes may go unreported because victims do not feel there is much value in reporting the crime or, in cases such as domestic assault, there is a threat of further victimization.
Victimization surveys are done in Canada every five years. This is a general survey that asks people whether they have been a victim of crime. These types of surveys give a more accurate picture of the real numbers of crime because they don’t simply rely on a victim actually reporting the crime to police. Provinces should consider doing annual victimization surveys to ensure a real picture of crime is being captured.
During national Victim’s of Crime Awareness Week it is important to remember that all crime comes with a cost to the individual and to society. There needs to be increased attention placed on ensuring the justice system is responsive to victims and does not add to the pain of being a victim of crime. A system of justice must be able to work for the victim and not simply for those who are accused of committing crimes.
