Cap. 539 Art. 12Assessment of and assistance to victims of crime.

The Ministry or any other entity or agency which the

Minister may designate for the purpose shall make provision:

(a) to ensure that victims receive a timely and individual assessment, in accordance with this Act, and to determine whether and to what extent they would benefit from special measures in this Act due to their particular vulnerability. The victim may request to be interviewed by a person of the same sex;

(b) for the timely and individual assessment of victims who suffered from severe crimes, including crimes committed with a bias or discriminatory motive which could in particular, be related to their particular characteristics, and victims whose relationship to and dependence on the offender make them particularly vulnerable such as:

(i) minors;

(ii) victims of terrorism;

(iii) victims of organised crime;

(iv) victims of human trafficking;

(v) victims of gender-based violence;

(vi) victims of violence in a close relationship;

(vii) victims of sexual violence;

(viii) victims of exploitation or hate crime; and

(c) for victim support services, as long as necessary, which shall, as a minimum, provide:

(i) information, advice and support relevant to the rights of victims including on accessing national compensation schemes for criminal injuries, and on their role in criminal proceedings including preparation for attendance at the trial;

(ii) information about or direct referral to any relevant specialist support services in place;

(iii) emotional and, where available, psychological support;

(iv) advice relating to financial and practical issues arising from the crime;

(v) unless otherwise provided by other public or private services, advice relating to the risk and prevention of secondary and repeat victimisation, of intimidation and of retaliation;

(vi) immediate medical treatment in accordance with the national healthcare system for as long as such treatment is necessary;

(vii) protection measures, paying particular attention to the risk of intimidation and retaliation and the need to protect the dignity and physical integrity, including during questioning and when testifying;

(viii) shelters or any other appropriate interim accommodation for victims in need of a safe place due to an imminent risk of secondary and repeat victimisation, of intimidation and of retaliation; and

(ix) targeted and integrated support for victims with specific needs, such as victims of sexual violence, victims of gender-based violence and victims of violence in close relationships, including trauma support and counselling;

(d) for the close involvement of the victim in the carrying out of individual assessments which shall take into account the wishes of the victims as to whether they do not wish to benefit from the special measures provided for in this Act;

(e) for updating of the elements that form the basis of the individual assessment throughout the criminal proceedings.