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