Victim input into pre-sentencing assessments

ACT Corrective Services may contact victims to discuss their concerns about the need for protection from violence or harassment from an offender.

When we will contact you

We will contact you if we have been asked by a court to provide a pre-sentence report or an intensive correction assessment and either:

• the offence is punishable by imprisonment for longer than 2 years
• you've asked us to contact you about this.

We will consider your concerns when preparing our report or assessment.

A pre-sentence report or assessment helps the court decide what penalty is most appropriate for an offence.

We are required to do this under the Victims of Crime Act 1994.

What you can expect from us

When we contact you we will:

• engage with you respectfully and take into account your personal situation, needs, concerns, rights and dignity
• make sure you're able to access assistance, such as an interpreter or intermediary, reasonably necessary to participate
• keep your personal information confidential unless the information is allowed to be shared in a court case, by law or with your agreement
• if you are under 18 years, seek to consider your views, wishes and circumstances before engaging with your parent or carer and engage with you in a way that is appropriate for your age.

You can read more about your rights as a victim on the Human Rights Commission website.

If you feel we have not complied with your victim rights, you can:

• make a complaint to us
• raise a concern with Victim Support ACT.