Chapter 9: Criminal and Civil Law for Victims of Violence
Additional Recommended Readings
Calton, J., and L.B. Cattaneo (2014). The effects of procedural and distributive justice on intimate partner violence victims’ mental health and likelihood of future help-seeking. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 84(4), 329–340. http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/ort/84/4/329/
This study explores the experiences of 142 victims of intimate partner violence and their perceptions of procedural and distributive justice, and their mental health and intention to use the system again.
Hartley, C. C., L.M. Renner, and S. Mackel (2013). Civil legal services and domestic violence: Missed service opportunities. Families in Society, 94(1), 15–22. http://familiesinsocietyjournal.org/doi/abs/10.1606/1044-3894.4260?journalCode=fcss
This article describes the differences in focus and impact of criminal and civil legal interventions for domestic violence, provides an in-depth illustration of how civil legal services can address a myriad of needs for women who experience domestic violence, and addresses the role social workers can play in assisting clients in the civil legal process.
Relevant Legislation
Federal: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en
- Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1985, c. 22 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/
- An Act to Enact the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights and to Amend Certain Acts, S.C. 2015, c. 13 http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&DocId=7935412&File=4&Col=1
Alberta: www.qp.alberta.ca/laws_online.cfm
- Limitations Act, S.A. 1996, c. L-15.1 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=L12.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779783748
- Protection Against Family Violence Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. P-27 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=p27.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779776665
- Victims of Crime Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. V-3 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=v03.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779776689
- Victims Restitution and Compensation Payment Act, S.A. 2001, c. V-3.5 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=v03p5.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779784295
British Columbia: www.bclaws.ca
- Criminal Injury Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 85 http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96085_01
- Family Law Act, S.B.C. 2011, c. 25 http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/11025_00
- Limitation Act, S.B.C. 2012, c.13 http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/12013_01
- Victims of Crime Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 478 http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96478_01
Manitoba: web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/index.php
- Domestic Violence and Stalking Act, S.M. 1998, c. 41 http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/d093e.php
- Limitation of Actions Act, C.C.S.M., c. L150 http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/l150e.php
- Victims’ Bill of Rights, C.C.S.M., c. V55 http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/v055e.php
New Brunswick: www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/attorney_general/acts_regulations.html
- Family Services Act, N.B. Reg. 97-71 http://laws.gnb.ca/en/showfulldoc/cs/F-2.2//20150805
- Limitation of Actions Act, R.S.N.B. 1973, c. L-8 http://laws.gnb.ca/en/showfulldoc/cs/L-8.5//20150805
- Victims Services Act, S.N.B. 1987, c. V-2.1 http://laws.gnb.ca/en/showfulldoc/cs/V-2.1//20150805
Newfoundland and Labrador: www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation
- Family Law Act, R.S.N.L. 1990, c. F-2 http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/f02.htm
- Limitations Act, S.N.L. 1995, c. L-16.1 http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/l16-1.htm
- Victims of Crime Services Act, R.S.N.L. 1990, c. V-5 http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/v05.htm
Nova Scotia: nslegislature.ca/legc/
- Domestic Violence Intervention Act, S.N.S. 2001, c. 29
- Limitation of Actions Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 258
- Victims’ Rights and Services Act, S.N.S. 1989, c. 14
Ontario: www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation
- Compensation for Victims of Crime Act, S.O. 1990, c. 24 http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90c24
- Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 24, Sch. B http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/02l24
- Victims’ Bill of Rights, 1995, S.O. 1995, c. 6 http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/95v06
Prince Edward Island: www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes
- Statute of Limitations, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. S-7 http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/s-07.pdf
- Victims of Crime Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. V-3.1 http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/v-03_1.pdf
- Victims of Family Violence Act, S.P.E.I. 1996, c. V-3.2 http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/v-03_2.pdf
Quebec: www3.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/loisreglements.en.html
- Assistance for victims of crime, An Act respecting, R.S.Q. c. A-13.2 http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FA_13_2%2FA13_2_A.htm
- Civil Code of Québec, C.C.Q. http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FCCQ_1991%2FCCQ1991_A.htm
- Crime Victims Compensation Act, 1994 S.Q., c. 1-6 http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FI_6%2FI6_A.htm
Saskatchewan: www.qp.gov.sk.ca
- Limitations Act, S.S. 2004 http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/L16-1.pdf
- Saskatchewan Victims of Crime Act, S.S. 1995, c. 4-6.011 http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/V6-011.pdf
- Victims of Interpersonal Violence Act, S.S. 1994, c. V-6.02 http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/V6-02.pdf
Northwest Territories: www.justice.gov.nt.ca/legislation/search
- Family Law Act, S.N.W.T. 1997, c. 18 https://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/en/files/legislation/family-law/family-law.a.pdf?t1438785998257
- Limitation of Actions Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. L-8 https://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/en/files/legislation/limitation-of-actions/limitation-of-actions.a.pdf?t1438786015689
- Victims of Crime Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. 9 (Supp.) https://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/en/files/legislation/victims-of-crime/victims-of-crime.a.pdf?t1438786039611
Nunavut: www.justice.gov.nu.ca
- Family Law Act, S.N.W.T. (Nu) 1997, c. 18 http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=CURRENT+CONSOLIDATIONS+OF+ACTS+AND+REGULATIONS&letter=F
- Limitation of Actions Act, R.S.N.W.T. (Nu) 1988, c. L-8 http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=CURRENT+CONSOLIDATIONS+OF+ACTS+AND+REGULATIONS&letter=L
- Victims of Crime Act, R.S.N.W.T. (Nu) 1988, c. 9 (Supp.) http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=CURRENT+CONSOLIDATIONS+OF+ACTS+AND+REGULATIONS&letter=V
Yukon Territory: www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/
- Family Violence Prevention Act, R.S.Y. 2002, c. 84 http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/favipr_c.pdf
- Limitation of Actions Act, R.S.Y. 2002, c. 139 http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/liac_c.pdf
- Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust Act, R.S.Y. 2002, c. 49 http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/cpvst_c.pdf
Discussion Questions
- What rights do victims’ bills of rights afford and what protections should be expanded?
- What protections exist for a person who believes that someone will threaten or assault him or her in the future? Do these seem adequate?
- What should a victim consider before reporting a crime to the police?
- In what ways can a victim be compensated for crimes against him or her?