EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
Paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 3 to the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 makes provision for a police officer or member of the police support staff to disclose relevant information, as set out in paragraph 1(2), relating to a victim to a prescribed body for the purposes of enabling that body to advise the victim about support services provided by the body, or to offer or provide support services to the victim.
Paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 makes a similar provision to that in paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 in relation to the disclosure of information relating to a witness for the prosecution by a member of staff of the Public Prosecution Service to a prescribed body.
Relevant information relating to a victim or a witness means their name and address, any telephone number or e-mail address at which they may be contacted and other appropriate information in order that they can be advised about, offered or provided services. Relevant information relating to a witness also includes their age.
These Regulations prescribe Victim Support Northern Ireland as a body for the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2 and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children as a body for the purposes of paragraph 2.