Statement Submitted by International Council of Women and Zonta International (Non-Governmental Organizations in General Consultative Status With the Economic and Social Council); and International Council on Alcohol and Addictions, International Federation of University Women, International Society

• NCJ Number: 189388
• Date Published: March 2000
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations
• Sale Source: United Nations Publications
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: Austria

Annotation

This is a statement submitted by various national and international groups at the ninth session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (meeting in Vienna on April 18-20, 2000) regarding services for child crime victims.

Abstract

The statement urges governments to adhere to existing legally binding instruments pertinent to services for child victims, respecting norms and standards in these instruments and translating them into practice. Such efforts would involve standards and efforts to provide access to justice and fair treatment, reparation, restitution and compensation, as well as physical, psychological, medical, and social assistance for the victim. Criminal justice officials, practitioners, and professionals involved in the criminal justice system should receive training in all relevant human rights instruments. The statement appeals to governments to address the special needs of the child victim through specific gender-sensitive and age-sensitive measures. This should involve ensuring that the child victim is accompanied and supported by a person who can ensure that the child receives appropriate and legal assistance throughout case processing. Specific methods should be developed for protecting the child victim of sexual abuse and trafficking from additional traumatization during criminal proceedings. There should be no contact between the child victim/witness and the offender during case processing. Action should be taken to prevent the premature publication of evidence; to protect the privacy of the child victim; to suspend the statute of limitation regarding child sexual abuse to at least 5 years after the child victim has reached his/her age of majority; to provide aftercare and therapy for the child victim; to provide care for the child victim of sexual trafficking in a safe open institution or family environment; and to empower children and youth through education and raising awareness of their human rights.