On March 19th, members and staff of the Law Reform Commission visited the University of Limerick to co-host a seminar on the ongoing Compensating Victims of Crime project. The event, organised in collaboration with the UL School of Law, provided an opportunity to engage with students, academics, and legal professionals on issues related to victims’ rights and compensation. The Commission’s team was warmly welcomed by the School, which facilitated a three-speaker conference on
“A Rights-Based Approach to Victims’ Compensation.”
The seminar commenced with an insightful presentation by Dr. Susan Leahy, Director of the Centre for Crime, Justice and Victim Studies (CCJVS). Dr. Leahy provided a historical overview of the development of victims’ rights within the legal system, tracing the shift from victims being viewed as having mere “interests” to being recognised as holders of enforceable legal “rights.” She explored key legal milestones, including the
Victims’ Charter, the
EU Victims’ Rights Directive 2012, and the
Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017, all of which have played a crucial role in strengthening the legal rights of victims. Her presentation underscored the importance of ensuring that victims are not merely passive participants in the justice system but are actively supported.
Following Dr. Leahy’s contribution, Ms. Joan Deane, Vice Chairperson of AdVic, delivered a powerful talk focused on amplifying the voices of victims. Drawing from real-life experiences, she highlighted the challenges victims have faced when engaging with the current Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal. These included significant delays in processing claims, a lack of transparency, and concerns about how victims are treated throughout the process. Ms. Deane emphasised the emotional and financial toll that these systemic issues place on victims and their families. Her talk reinforced the urgent need for reform to ensure that victims receive timely and fair compensation for the harm they have suffered.
The final speaker of the day was Mr Justice Frank Clarke, President of the Law Reform Commission, who provided an update on the Commission’s Compensating Victims of Crime project. He outlined the objectives of the project, emphasising that the Commission has adopted a rights-based approach to reforming the system of criminal injuries compensation. President Clarke discussed the progress made thus far, including key research findings and potential policy recommendations. He stressed that victims’ rights must be at the core of any compensation framework, ensuring that the system is accessible, fair, and responsive to victims’ needs. His presentation offered valuable insights into the future direction of the project and the steps required to bring about meaningful change.
The seminar concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with the speakers on various aspects of victims’ compensation and legal reform. The discussion highlighted the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration between policymakers, academics, and advocacy groups in shaping a system that truly serves victims of crime.
The event at the University of Limerick provided a valuable platform for exploring critical issues surrounding victims’ compensation, reinforcing the continuing need to uphold the rights and dignity of victims.