Victims Bill of Rights to give victims a voice in the justice system
Two mothers of murdered children debate the merit of the new Victims Bill of Rights and whether it really addresses the needs of victims.
Being a victim of a serious crime is a role no one chooses. But Sue O'Sullivan the federal ombudsman for Victims of Crime says those who are, may soon have a bigger voice in our justice system. Ottawa has introduced a victims rights bill. Today, we're speaking with two mothers who, through their grief, have had to navigate our justice system.
Sharon Rosenfeldt, who the prime Minister acknowledged, advocates for victims of crime through the organization she founded called Victims of Violence. Her 16-year-old son Daryn was killed by Clifford Olsen in 1981. She was in our Ottawa studio.
Lori Triano-Antidormi also lost a son to violence. Her son Zachary was 2-and-a-half years old when he was stabbed by a neighbour in 1997. Ms. Triano-Antidormi is a registered psychologist and counsels victims of crime as a part of her practice. She was in Hamilton.
Victims should not be revictimized by having to beg for information. Victims should not have to live in fear... Sharon Rosenfeldt lost her son, only to subsequently deal with a system that had no place for her no information on what her family should expect no concensus on what they deserve to know.Prime Minister Stephen HarperThe long-awaited victims bill of rights was tabled yesterday and Prime Minister Stephen Harper himself outlined the proposed changes to the criminal code at a news conference in Mississauga, Ontario. The bill of rights is designed to give victims a voice in the justice system -- something Harper says Canadians have long been asking for. He said the measures were drafted after an extensive consultation process that involved every province and territory... and included many victims who said the justice system "re-victimized" them.
Sharon Rosenfeldt, who the prime Minister acknowledged, advocates for victims of crime through the organization she founded called Victims of Violence. Her 16-year-old son Daryn was killed by Clifford Olsen in 1981. She was in our Ottawa studio.
Lori Triano-Antidormi also lost a son to violence. Her son Zachary was 2-and-a-half years old when he was stabbed by a neighbour in 1997. Ms. Triano-Antidormi is a registered psychologist and counsels victims of crime as a part of her practice. She was in Hamilton.
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This segment was produced by The Current's Dawna Dingwall and Kathleen Goldhar.