PCVI Victim-Related Research Completed (as of September 30, 2004)

Title

Description

National Survey of Victim Services: Feasibility Study (Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics)

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a national survey of victim services.

The Role of the Victim in the Criminal Process: A Literature Review: 1989 to 1999 (Alan N. Young)

This review examined a decade of literature regarding the role of victims throughout history, victims' rights issues in Canada, the international experience with victims' rights, mediation and restorative approaches in relation to victim satisfaction with the criminal process.

The Use of Victim Impact Statements in Sentencing: A Review of International Research Findings (Julian Roberts)

A literature review on the use of VIS in sentencing was completed, which included articles between 1987 and 2002 published in the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

Victim Impact Statements at Sentencing: Perceptions of the Judiciary (Julian Roberts & Allen Edgar)

Findings from a survey of judges regarding their use of victim impact statements at sentencing are shared in this report. The findings will be of particular interest to jurisdictions considering the introduction of victim impact statements at this stage in the criminal justice process.

Experiences of Crime Victims who have Completed Victim Impact Statements (Colin Meredith & Chantal Paquette)

This study examined the experiences of crime victims who had completed victim impact statements, to assess how victim impact statements are meeting their intended purposes and how they might be improved.

Focus Groups on Victim Impact Statements

Six focus groups involving victims were organized to probe victims' awareness of victim impact statements and experiences with various issues pertaining to the preparation, presentation, and impact of these statements.

The Role of Victims in the Plea Negotiation Process: A Review of the Literature

(Simon Verdun-Jones)

This critical review of the literature addresses the nature and extent of involvement of victims in the plea negotiation process. This review includes experiences in foreign jurisdictions and assesses a model for victim involvement adopted in the United States.

Privacy Rights of Victims

(Jamie Cameron)

Through a review of the literature and case law, this project explores the impact of violations of victims' privacy rights and the implications for publication bans and exclusion orders. The experience of other countries in relation to victim privacy issues is also an aspect of this study.

Bills C-46 and C-49: Understanding the Impact

(Renate Mohr)

Through a series of interviews with criminal justice system personnel and third party record keepers, this study explores the impact of legislation that limits the production and disclosure of third party records in sexual assault proceedings, as well as the admissibility of information on the sexual history of sexual assault victims. Especially important is the impact of Bills C-46 and C-49 on the reporting of sexual assaults, on victim co-operation in prosecutions of sexual assault charges, and on the perception that the provisions of the two bills protect the privacy of complainants to the extent possible.

Nova Scotia Restitution Project

(Anne Martell)

The purpose of this project is to provide information about the use of restitution, in Nova Scotia, as a sentencing option and the improvements required to enhance victim satisfaction. The study recommends strategies to improve the criminal justice system's response to victims with regard to the awarding and enforcement of restitution orders.

Victims' Experiences with, Expectations and Perceptions of Restorative Justice: A Critical Review (Joanne Wemmers & Marisa Canuto)

This study reviewed the academic literature on victims' experiences with, expectations and perceptions of restorative justice initiatives.

Directory of Canadian Court-Support Services for Children and Youth Required to Testify in Court (Pam Hurley)

The aim of this project is to produce a comprehensive inventory of court-support services that is to be widely available. This inventory will be especially useful to those providing support to children involved with the criminal justice system.

Developmental Capabilities of Children/Youth Required to Testify (Louise Sas)

This report reviews and assesses the social science and legal literature on the developmental stages of children and their bearing on the child's testimony and credibility.

Court Observation Project : When Children Testify ( Toronto Child Abuse Centre)

This project, conducted by the Toronto Child Abuse Centre, examined issues related to the treatment of child witnesses. The study results were intended to identify measures facilitating the effective testimony of children.

North of 60 Survey (Environics)

The purpose of this research was to address a data gap on victimization for the three territories and northern Labrador. The 1999 GSS on Victimization does not include the territories.

Victims' Response to Trauma and Implications for Interventions: A Selected Review and Synthesis of the Literature (James Hill)

A literature review was conducted to share information on how individuals cope with traumatic events and what processes they use to recover from the trauma. This literature review will incorporate clinical experience to form recommendations on how services should be matched to meet the needs of victims of crime. Public-legal information will be created as a result of this work.

Working with Victims of Crime: A Manual Applying Research to Clinical Practice (James Hill)

A resource that explains psychological changes that relate to being victimized providing information on how victim characteristics, cognitive changes, and coping skills impact clinical understanding and interventions. Information sheets are also available that provide summaries on a variety of topics covered in the manual.

Community Based Sentencing: The Perspectives of Crime Victims, An Exploratory Study (Julian Roberts & Kent Roach)

This study examined community-based sanctions from the perspective of the crime victim. Interviews and focus groups were conducted in Ottawa and Toronto with victims in personal injury cases in which a community sanction had been imposed.

Multi-Site Survey of Victims of Crime and Criminal Justice Professionals Across Canada (Prairie Research Associates)

This study gauges victims' and criminal justice personnel's awareness and views of legislation and services, needs in both urban and rural communities, satisfaction with the criminal justice system, and views regarding sentencing issues and restorative justice.

Creating a Framework for the Wisdom of the Community: Review of Victim Services in Nunavut, Northwest and Yukon Territories (Mary Beth Levan)

This report provides a summary of findings from consultations with victim service providers, community-based service providers and government officials across the three northern territories to identify best practises, challenges and gaps in the delivery of victim services in the territories. This report will be published by the end of the summer.

Conditional Sentencing in the North (Michael McDonald) – Internal document

This is a descriptive report on the imposition of conditional sentences in the territories.

Literature Review: Crime Victimization Issues among First Nations, Métis and Inuit People (Larry Chartrand & Celeste McKay)

A literature review was conducted with a view to developing a comprehensive research agenda to identify research needs specific to victim issues among First Nations, Métis and Inuit People. The needs identified through this review will assist the PCVI in determining its research priorities.

Victims and Ontario Review Board Cases in Ontario (Michael Phillips & Pauline Radly)

This study examined the experiences in the criminal justice system of victims of crimes committed by persons with mental disorders. Interviews with some key informants (police, victim services workers, Crown) were also conducted.

Survey Results of the Revised Draft of After Sexual Assault…Your Guide to the Criminal Justice System

(Cathy Vine & Ramona Alaggia)

The aim of this project is to recommend changes to the existing guidebook based on feedback received from various sources. The guidebook describes the criminal justice process to sexual assault victims but is out of date given the Code reforms of the 1990s.