Specialist Victims Register

Victims Services administers the Specialist Victims Register. If you are on the Register, you can be notified of certain changes concerning a forensic patient.

If you are registered, we will tell you if the forensic patient:

• is due for a review hearing with the Tribunal
  
• applies for a review – outside of the regular review hearings
  
• appeals against the Tribunal's decision
  
• applies for leave or release
  
• is no longer a forensic patient.
  

Leading up to a Tribunal, you will be told about:

• the orders that the forensic patient, legal representative or their treating team is seeking
  
• the location of a hearing
  
• the outcome of a review hearing
  
• any known safety concerns that may affect you or the breach of an order by the forensic patient.
  

You will be notified if the Tribunal makes an order to apprehend and detain a forensic patient who has breached their leave or release conditions, and general reasons for any decision about leave or release.

Am I eligible?

You can be added to the Register if you are a victim or family victim of a forensic patient where:

• there is a special verdict of act proven but not criminally responsible for the offence against you in respect to the forensic patient (whether or not following a special hearing), or
  
• a limiting term has been imposed on the forensic patient following a verdict in a special hearing in respect of the offence against you.
  

A family victim is a member of the immediate family of a homicide victim.

Who can refer me?

Any agency or individual can refer you to our team or you can apply directly.