Victims and the Youth Court

Who is a victim?

A victim is someone who suffers when the law is broken (Victims’ Rights Act 2002). Victims are important to youth justice.

The Youth Court must deal with youth offending in a way that takes account of victims’ interests. It does this in family group conferences and court hearings.

Victims and Family group conferences

If you’re the victim of a crime committed by a young person, you have the right to attend a family group conference and have your say.

Taking part like this is important. For a start, it can help you heal. You’ll be made to feel welcome. And because you can bring your own support people, and there’ll also be police and social workers there, you’ll feel safe.

You’re entitled to have a say in how the young offender should be dealt with. You’ll also be given a chance to tell the offender exactly how his or her behaviour affected you.

That’s good for you. And it helps the young person understand the impact of what they did. Often they apologise.

People at family group conferences work together to draw up a plan to put the young person back on track. This might include reparation, so your input into the plan is important.

Most family group conferences end with a result that satisfies everyone. But if you don’t agree with any aspect of the plan, that will be noted, and the Youth Court will decide what should be done.

If you’d like to know how a family group conference will work in your case, contact the youth justice co-ordinator at the nearest office of the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services.

Victims and Court hearings

You may attend any court hearing, if the judge allows it.

If you want to attend a court hearing, speak to the Registrar at the court the young person is appearing in or the youth justice co-ordinator at the nearest office of the Department of Child Youth and Family Services (you’ll probably have already met them at the family group conference).

Try to do this before the hearing date. The Youth Court judge will consider your request, and they hardly ever refuse permission to attend.

Young offenders usually go to court more than once, but for the victim the most important appearance is probably the one after the family group conference. That’s when the judge will consider how to carry out the plan, and whether any court orders are needed to make it happen.

Court staff will be able to explain what’s likely to happen in court. The judge will make sure he or she knows who’s in the courtroom, and will ask you to speak if you’ve said you want to. He or she might, anyway, ask if you want to say something, and what you think ought to happen.

If the judge agrees, you may bring support people with you to court. You’ll find if you have any questions or concerns, the judge will be happy to listen and help you.