Minister Flanagan launches Crime Victims Helpline’s ‘Know Your Rights’ Campaign

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has today launched a new ‘Know Your Rights’ campaign. The Crime Victims Helpline campaign aims to raise awareness of the new rights afforded to victims by the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017.

The 'Know Your Rights' campaign includes a trio of resources that use plain English to help victims of crime, and the people who support them, to understand their new rights. The resources consist of an information booklet, website and video and they explain the rights, particularly in areas such as the right to information and the provision of certain supports and protection.

The project was funded with support from the Dormant Accounts Fund and the Victims of Crime Office at the Department of Justice and Equality.

Speaking at the event, Minister Flanagan said:

"The Crime Victims Helpline is one of the country’s main strategic victim support services and these new user friendly resources, developed using Dormant Accounts funding secured by my department, will be a valuable source of help to all victims and those supporting them."

The crime victims’ rights website is CrimeVictimsRights.ie.

The National Crime Victims Helpline can be contacted for free by calling 116 006. Individuals can also text for support on 085 133 7711 or email info@crimevictimshelpline.ie

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

Normal Helpline opening hours:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 10am to 5pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 9.30am to 6.30pm
Saturday: 2pm to 4pm
Sunday: Closed

Individuals can call the Helpline at any time outside these hours and leave a message, and the call will be returned when the Helpline re-opens.

Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017

Some of the key rights which victims have under the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 include:

the right to receive comprehensive information on the criminal justice system and their role within it and the range of services and entitlements victims may access from their first contact with the Garda Síochána
the right to receive a written acknowledgement of the making of the complaint by the victim
the right to be provided with information concerning the progress of the investigation and any court proceedings
the right to be informed of any decision not to institute a prosecution in relation to the offence committed against them and the right to request a review of that decision
the right to receive information on the release, temporary release, or escape from custody of an offender who is serving a sentence for an offence committed against the victim
the right to receive information in clear and concise language and to interpretation and translation where it is necessary to enable victims to understand and be understood in their participation in the criminal justice process

Minister Flanagan launches Crime Victims Helpline’s ‘Know Your Rights’ Campaign

Notes to the Editor:

Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017

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