The Victims’ Bill of Rights

The Role of Law

Enforcement Agencies
Please refer to Manitoba Justice recognizes the need to ■ the date the accused is released from
Understanding The offer information, assistance and support to police custody
Victims’ Bill of
Rights for a
victims of the most serious crimes. ■ any reasons why a charge was not laid
current list of the
Crime victim services workers:
most serious crimes The police agency can provide
to see if you are ■ provide information about the justice information about:
eligible for services system and community resources
under The Victims’ ■ the rights and remedies of victims under
Bill of Rights. ■ advise victims of their options, rights and The Victims’ Bill of Rights
responsibilities
■ the Compensation for Victims of Crime
The meaning of the
words in bold type
For information Program
are also explained Call toll free: 1-866-4VICTIM(1-866-484-2846) ■ the police agency’s name, address and
in Understanding Or go to: www.gov.mb.ca/justice/victims/ telephone number
The Victims’ Bill victimsindex.html
of Rights. ■ the number of the police file about the
offence (the police occurance number)
What is the role of the police?
■ the Manitoba Victim Impact Statement
The primary role of the police is to enforce Program
the law. The first contact victims have with ■ crime prevention, safety/protection
the police usually happens when they call for planning and services available in your
help or make a complaint. Complaints, or community, including medical, financial,
calls for service, usually result in an incident housing, counselling, legal and emergency
report. Police may interview victims and any services
witnesses to see if there is enough evidence ■ how to apply for restitution
to lay a charge.
■ how to get property used in an investigation
What information will I receive returned
under The Victims’ Bill of Rights? ■ the date the accused is released from police
custody and any conditions they may have
Police will advise you if you are eligible to
to follow
register to receive information and services
■ how to report the accused if he or she does
under the bill.
not follow release conditions (breach)
Information about the investigation
The police must give you certain information
if you ask for it:
■ the status of the investigation
■ the name of any person charged and
whether that person is being held in
police custody

Ces renseignements sont également offerts en français.

Information about an escape from To be interviewed by someone of the
police custody same gender in a sexual offence
If the accused is released, escapes police Victims of sexual assault can ask to be inter-
custody or does not follow a condition of viewed by an officer of the same gender. The
release (breach), the police must notify you: police will try to accommodate such a request
■ if the person could be a threat to you or whenever possible.
your family’s safety or To have your personal property
■ if the person is accused or under returned
investigation for criminal harassment
You may have to leave personal property
Information about the with the police for a long time while it is
Prosecutions office used as evidence. You are entitled to have
your property returned promptly at the end
Once a charge is laid against an accused of the investigation if it is not needed for a
and the case is passed on to the Crown prosecution.
attorney’s office, the police must give you the
address and telephone number of the office To have confidentiality maintained
responsible for prosecuting the offence, if you
If you request it, your address, telephone
request it.
number and place of employment can stay
What can I expect from the police? confidential, except when the law requires
disclosure.
To be consulted
The police must consult you, where
reasonably possible, about:
■ using pre-charge alternative measures
■ whether the accused should be kept in
police custody for safety reasons or
released
■ if released, whether the accused should
have to follow any conditions

MG-6708
Printed 07/05