New commission to help crime victims
A new specialist commission is to be set up to support victims of crime, it emerged tonight.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell announced the establishment of the new body following a review of existing support provisions.
The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime will be responsible for devising an appropriate support framework for victims of crime and funding victim support measures.
Its term of office will be for three years and its membership will include retired Assistant Garda Commissioner Jim McHugh, former Justice Minister Nora Owen, former head of the Probation and Welfare Service Sean Lowry and Gemini Consulting’s Michael Whelan.
The Commission’s remit will include the examination of all aspects of the provision of services for victims of crime.
These services are currently set out in the Victims’ Charter, published in 1999, and a spokesman said the Department of Justice has been committed to a review of the Charter at an early date.
It will also have regard in the course of its work to the EU Framework Decision on the Standing of Victims in Criminal Proceedings, and other international advances in relation to provision of services for victims of crime.
The Commission will also supervise the distribution of funds to support registered charities and other voluntary groups providing victim services.
Funding will be made available immediately and a public advertisement will appear in the national papers in this regard in the next few days.
The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform will initially provide administrative support for the new Commission.
