Victims in the criminal justice process

Victims have an important role in the criminal justice system that includes reporting the crime, testifying at trials and presenting a victim impact statement. The roles of victims are supported by rights to information, participation, protection and to seek restitution. There are also resources available to victims to assist them as they go through the criminal justice process.

Consult the pages below to find out more about each topic:

• Rights of victims, their role and the resources available to them
• Victim Registration: why register as a victim of crime
• Victim Impact Statement: a powerful tool
• Attend a parole hearing
• Access to the Registry of Decision of the Parole Board of Canada

The role of a victim or survivor, the implications of their rights and the resources available to them will vary during the investigation, trial and sentencing.

Learn more about the role of victims, their rights and the resources available to them as they move through the criminal justice system:

• at the time of the crime or shortly after, 
• during legal proceedings, and 
• during detention until the person who wronged them is released on parole.