victim's rights

This report reviews a study of the strategies used by local actors to operationalize reparations for victims of human rights violations, while highlighting the synergies between these efforts and sustainable development. This is based on the fieldwork of ICTJ and its partners in four areas: Colombia, The Gambia, Tunisia, and Uganda. The report presents findings from the comparative study and offers practical guidance and policy recommendations on how to advance reparations and sustainable development.
 

Prime Minister’s Order No. 001/03 of January 11, 2012 determining the modalities for the prevention of gender-based violence and the mechanisms for the protection of victims by state organs, Rwanda, entered into force on January 16, 2012

In Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 713 A.2d 390 (1998), the plaintiff sought a restraining order against her husband under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, N.J. Stat. § 2C:25-17 et seq., following an argument concerning the dissolution of their marriage. During the argument, the defendant threatened that the plaintiff would never gain custody of their children and that he would never sell the family home or share its proceeds.

Connecticut General Statutes Section 54-102b requires that when a defendant is convicted of an offense involving a sexual act, the court must order the offender to undergo testing for HIV and AIDS upon the victim’s request. Testing is to be conducted promptly, and results are provided to both the offender and the victim. The statute is intended to ensure that victims receive timely and accurate health information following sexual offenses, enabling early medical evaluation, preventive treatment, and counseling when needed.

Connecticut General Statutes § 54-86g provides special procedures to protect children under the age of twelve who are testifying in prosecutions for assault, sexual assault, or child abuse. At the request of either party, and with judicial approval, the child’s testimony may be taken in a separate room rather than in open court. The testimony must occur under the supervision of a judge and be televised or recorded for presentation to the jury. The statute authorizes several accommodations to reduce the child’s stress and risk of re-traumatization.

The Counter-Trafficking Act of Saint Lucia is designed to prevent and combat the trafficking of women and children. The Act criminalizes trafficking and related acts such as assisting, conspiring, or directing others, with penalties of up to EC$100,000, five years’ imprisonment, or both upon summary conviction.

Under the Domestic Violence Act of Saint Lucia the act of domestic violence is broadly defined to include both mental and physical harm. Any person who is convicted of the crime of domestic violence is subject to a fine not exceeding ten thousand East Caribbean dollars, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

Victim Status Law 

The victim status law sets forth measures to protect victims of crimes, transposing European Directive 2012/29 EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012. Article 3 establishes the principle of equality, wherein all victims enjoy fundamental rights, independent of gender, sexual orientation or identity, inherent to their human dignity, with the right to live free of violence and to preserve their mental and ph

Law No. 12,845/2013, known as the “Minute After Law,” requires public hospitals within Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) to provide immediate, comprehensive, and free care to victims of sexual violence. The law mandates emergency, multidisciplinary treatment addressing both physical and psychological consequences, and referral to social services when necessary. The law defines sexual violence as any non-consensual sexual activity.

Law No. 14,245 of 22 November 2021 (Mariana Ferrer Law), amends the Brazilian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Law of Special Civil and Criminal Courts to protect victims and witnesses, especially in cases involving crimes against sexual dignity, during judicial proceedings.