Briefing Paper

Victim-centred Prosecutions: Lessons for South Africa

The Service Charter for Victims of Crime in South Africa and the Victim Support Services Bill outline the rights of victims. When it comes to prosecutions, global good practice should inform and strengthen the National Prosecuting Authority’s approach to victims. This policy brief suggests how victim-centred prosecutions in South Africa could be strengthened by using the precedent set by the UN Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power and methods used in other countries.