Province of Manitoba victim's bill of rights

 Manitoba Justice recognizes the need to offer information, assistance and support to victims of the most serious crimes. 

Victim services workers: 

• provide information about the justice system and community resources
• advise victims of their options, rights and responsibilities 

What is The Victims’ Bill of Rights? 

The Victims’ Bill of Rights recognizes: 

• victims of crime have needs and concerns that deserve consideration
• victims should be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect
• victims should have access to appropriate protection and help
• victims should be given information on the investigation, prosecution, and outcome of offence(s) 

What are some of the rights that I may request under The Victims’ Bill of Rights? 

At each stage of the justice process you can choose the rights you want to use. Law Enforcement Agencies As a crime victim, your first point of contact with the justice system is likely to be a police officer. In Manitoba, this would include RCMP, Winnipeg Police Services and municipal police. 

Under The Victims’ Bill of Rights, you may request the following from police:

• the right to give an opinion on alternative/extrajudicial measures and release
• the right to be interviewed by an officer of the same gender in a sexual offence
• the right to have personal details about you kept confidential
• the right to information about the investigation
• the right to information about an offender’s escape from police custody
• the right to have your property returned when it is no longer needed as part of an investigation
• the right to information about the Manitoba Prosecution Service (ex: contact information)

Manitoba Prosecution Service

When someone is charged with a crime, a Crown attorney in the Manitoba Prosecution Service is responsible for dealing with the case. The Crown attorney must be fair to all parties in the case,  including victims, witnesses and the accused. 

The Crown attorney is not your lawyer but will take into account your concerns. Victims may request the following:

• the right to information about the status of the prosecution
• the right to have your views on the prosecution seriously considered
• the right to have the crown request restitution
• the right to information about Manitoba Corrections

Crown Law Division Victim Services Branch

Victim services workers are employed by this branch and will contact you when criminal charges have been laid. They will explain the court process, make sure you understand your rights and advise where to get information at every stage. 

Courts Division

Criminal cases are presented in court. The courts include the physical place where cases are heard and the people who work there such as the judges, clerks and sheriffs. If your case ends up before the courts, you can access the following rights:

• access to court proceedings
• the right to information about how to obtain the date, time and place of a court proceeding 

Manitoba Corrections

Manitoba Corrections is responsible for sentenced and unsentenced offenders. If the offender in your case is sentenced and will be handled by the provincial system, you have the right to ask for information such as:

whether a person is under supervision or in custody and the name and location of the jail or supervising office

where a pre-sentence report is being prepared and your opportunity to comment

estimated dates of release from custody and the dates of temporary absences or other types of release, along with their terms and conditions

notification of an offender’s escape, being unlawfully at large and recapture

warning of an offender’s possible threat to your safety and security 

Other rights and services for victims of crime Going through the justice process can take time away from work. 

Victims of serious crime have rights outside of the justice system. This includes specific rights from your employers. You have the right to be granted time off work for parts of a trial if you are:

• testifying
• presenting a victim impact statement to the court
• observing any sentencing of the accused 

How do I register for my rights? For more information about registration and registration forms, ask your local police agency or a victim services worker.

For information call toll free: 1-866-4VICTIM (1-866-484-2846) or go to: www.manitoba.ca/justice/victims/index.htm