Part 1

Victims of criminal conduct

Meaning of “victim”

Meaning of “victim”
1
1
In this Part, “victim” means a person who has suffered harm as a direct result of—
a
being subjected to criminal conduct, or
b
one or more of the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2).
2
The circumstances are—
a
where the person has seen, heard, or otherwise directly experienced the effects of, criminal conduct at the time the conduct occurred;
b
where the person’s birth was the direct result of criminal conduct;
c
where the death of a close family member of the person was the direct result of criminal conduct;
d
where the person is a child who is a victim of domestic abuse which constitutes criminal conduct.
3
The reference in subsection (2)(d) to a child who is a victim of domestic abuse is to be read in accordance with Part 1 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
4
For the purposes of this Part—
a
“harm” includes physical, mental or emotional harm and economic loss;
b
“criminal conduct” means conduct which constitutes an offence.
5
It is immaterial for the purposes of subsection (4)(b) that—
a
no person has reported the offence;
b
no person has been charged with or convicted of the offence.
6
In section 52(3)(a) of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, for “complaint has been made about” substitute “person has reported”.