Victims Lecture Question
Assuming that the ICC chooses to retain victim participation in its processes, how can victims’ representation at the ICC be improved and victims’ rights be protected?
Comment on the Victims Lecture Question: “Assuming that the ICC chooses to retain victim participation in its processes, how can victims’ representation at the ICC be improved and victims’ rights be protected?”
The speaker talked at length regarding the different ways of including victims in the court proceedings and finding new ways to engage victims into the the ICC process. However, I am wondering whether or not this holds any psychological effects. If a case failed in the ICC (for whatever reason), would this be setback to the victims that are participating in the case? Would victims be psychologically harmed if they were to participate in a court proceeding, and then ultimately, have the case fail for some reason like insufficient evidence? I think that there definitely needs to be more victim participation in the court process and brainstorming new strategies, but I'm wondering as to the psychological effects it would inflict on victims to have to retell their stories and viewpoints or as to whether there are repercussions in the location in which they're from (i.e. victim blaming in their home community).
Carla Ferstman
Director, REDRESS
Comment on the Victims Lecture Question: “Assuming that the ICC chooses to retain victim participation in its processes, how can victims’ representation at the ICC be improved and victims’ rights be protected?”
The speaker talked at length regarding the different ways of including victims in the court proceedings and finding new ways to engage victims into the the ICC process. However, I am wondering whether or not this holds any psychological effects. If a case failed in the ICC (for whatever reason), would this be setback to the victims that are participating in the case? Would victims be psychologically harmed if they were to participate in a court proceeding, and then ultimately, have the case fail for some reason like insufficient evidence? I think that there definitely needs to be more victim participation in the court process and brainstorming new strategies, but I'm wondering as to the psychological effects it would inflict on victims to have to retell their stories and viewpoints or as to whether there are repercussions in the location in which they're from (i.e. victim blaming in their home community).