The Service Charter for Victims of Crime in South Africa, or Victim’s Charter, is in line with the provisions of section 234 of the Constitution of South Africa and the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power. The Victims’ Charter will assist in the implementation of all applicable laws in such a way that it serves its purpose, namely making justice a reality for all.

The Charter can be summarised as follows:

  1. You have the right to be treated with fairness and with respect for dignity and privacy. This includes the right to be attended to promptly and courteously, treated with respect for your dignity and privacy by all service providers. All other service providers will take measures to minimise any inconvenience to you by, among other things, conducting interviews with you in your language of choice and in private, if necessary.
  2. You have the right to offer information, including during a criminal investigation and trial. Any contribution that you wish to make to the investigation, prosecution and parole hearing must be heard and considered.
  3. You have the right to receive information and documents that you are entitled to. This includes information on your rights and how to exercise them, all relevant services available to you, the proceedings and status of a case, information on the offender and your rights to explanations in your own language of anything you don’t understand.
  4. You have the right to protection, to be free from intimidation, harassment, fear, tampering, bribery, corruption and abuse. If you are a witness, you must report any such threats to the police or senior state prosecutor. This right includes that, in certain circumstances, the court may prohibit the publication of any information (including your identity), or it may order that the trial be held behind closed doors (in camera).
  5. You have the right to assistance and access to available social, health and counselling services, as well as legal assistance. This includes the services of an interpreter, making use of specialised courts and accommodating you if you are a special-needs victim.
  6. You have the right to compensation for loss of or damage to property suffered as a result of a crime being committed against you.
  7. You have the right to restitution in cases where you have been unlawfully dispossessed of goods or property, or where your goods or property have been damaged unlawfully.

Further information

 

For further information on the Victim’s Charter, contact the Gender Directorate of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development at the following numbers:

 

Tel: 012 315 1670
Fax: 012 315 1960