CSC reporting on Ombudsman’s position on victim rights
“The system needs to be more flexible and adaptable in terms of particularly with people that participate, for example, vulnerable victims such as children, older persons, persons with disabilities.”
One of the reports also suggests putting victims at the centre of the debate over proposed plea bargains by allowing the court to hear from them before a guilty plea is made “in order to have the opportunity to have their views heard and considered.” The report notes variations of this kind of law exist in Colorado and California. The ombudsman also advocated for having victims make submissions to the court when a decision might affect their safety, such as in a bail hearing.
