Youth Justice Conferencing
Youth Justice or Victim Offender Conferencing is based upon restorative justice principles. It focuses on repairing the harm caused to a victim and requires offenders to take responsibility for their actions. The conferencing process gives those impacted by crime the opportunity to participate in the justice process and for their voices to be heard. Most victims we support to attend conferences tell us it was a positive experience, one that assists in recovery, healing and closure. They are also satisfied that the young person has an outcome plan to change their lives for the better.
There are two different types of conferences, and these can occur as part of youth diversion or be pre-court sentencing. If you have the opportunity to participate in any of these, Victims of Crime NT can help.
Attendance to a conference is totally up to you. If you don’t want to attend personally, you can send along a representative or we can present your thoughts and views on your behalf.
Victim Impact Statements
A victim impact statement is an official document that can be presented to the Court at the sentencing stage of a trial to assist the Judge in their deliberations. It may help the judge determine the appropriate sentence for an offender. The police will usually ask a victim to complete a victim impact statement at the time that charges are laid. If this has not been done the prosecution.
You Have rights as a victim of crime
Every victim of crime in the Northern Territory has rights under The Northern Territory Charter of Victims’ Rights. This document outlines how victims should be treated and supported.
Included within the Charter is the right to be informed of the outcome of a criminal matter where you were the victim of a crime. The police should advise you if you cannot be informed due to concerns around jeopardising the evidence or investigation. This might be the case if you need to be a witness during court proceedings.
All organisations that come in to contact with victims are required to commit to the Charter. Victims of Crime NT is committed to our obligations under The Northern Territory Charter of Victim’s Rights and advocates to others around its importance and their responsibilities to victims.
