Victims and Youth Justice

Summary

  • The YCJA clearly recognizes the interest and the needs of victims to have a role of involvement at different stages of the youth justice process.
  • The considerations of the victim include:
    • Being notified about the proceedings
    • Being given an opportunity to participate in the proceedings
    • Being given an opportunity to be heard
    • Having a role in formal or informal community-based measures
    • The right to request information about measures or sanctions used for the offender that do not involve going to court
    • The right to submit a victim impact statement at the time of sentencing
    • The right to request access to certain youth records
  • Extrajudicial measures not only encourage the youth to acknowledge their actions but also to repair the harm done to the victim.
  • The victim can be directly involved in decisions made about the consequences for the youth and also in the reparations by the youth.
  • The victim must be told about a compensation order and must agree to it.
  • If the youth agrees to participate in a community justice conference, the victim and others who have been affected by the youth’s actions will be there.
  • If the youth has been found guilty of the offence in court proceedings, he or she may have to listen to a victim impact statement.