Victorian Current Acts Victorian Current Acts(1) The objects of this Act are—
(a) to recognise the impact of crime on the victims of that crime, including the impact on members of victims' families, witnesses to the crime and in some cases, the broader community;
(b) to recognise that all persons adversely affected by crime, regardless of whether they report the offence, should be treated with respect by all investigatory agencies, prosecuting agencies and victims' services agencies and should be offered information to enable them to access appropriate services to help with the recovery process;
S. 4(1)(ba) inserted by No. 42/2018 s. 4.
(ba) to recognise that a victim of crime has an inherent interest in the response by the criminal justice system to that crime, giving rise to the rights and entitlements set out in this Act, and to acknowledge the victim's role as a participant, but not a party, in proceedings for criminal offences;
(c) to help reduce the likelihood of secondary victimisation by the criminal justice system.
(2) The objects referred to in subsection (1) are based on the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations by resolution 40/34 of 29 November 1985.