Your rights as a victim of crime

Protection and rights

Alberta victims have protection under the Alberta Victims of Crime Act and Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. Your rights include the following:

• you should be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect
• your privacy should be considered and respected to the greatest extent possible
• all reasonable measures should be taken to minimize inconvenience to you
• your safety and security should be considered at all stages of the criminal justice process
• you should be protected from intimidation and retaliation by all means necessary
• you should be given information about the criminal justice system, your role and opportunities to participate in criminal justice processes
• you should be given information 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
• you should be given information about available victim assistance services, including victim impact statements, requesting restitution, means of obtaining financial reparation and other programs
• you should promptly receive financial benefits for the injuries that you have suffered
• if charges are laid, you have the right to prepare and give the court a victim impact statement that tells how the crime affected you
• you have the right to ask to read your victim impact statement out loud in court, or ask someone else to read it for you
• you have the right to not be contacted by inmates
• your views, concerns and representation are an important consideration in criminal justice processes
• you should be given information about how to complain when you believe that these principles have not been followed
• your needs, concerns and diversity should be considered in the development and delivery of programs, education and training