The Irrational Witness: Conference by CPIJ Co-Researcher Jo-Anne Wemmers

In Canadian criminal law, victims of crimes are considered as witnesses of crimes committed against the State, which are therefore prosecuted by the State in the name of the Queen. It is difficult to explain to anyone who is not a lawyer that, even though the victims personally experienced a crime, they are in fact witnesses, and their status is much like that of any other person who witnessed a crime. For victims, not recognizing their unique position in relation to the crime is irrational.

The conference is held with the collaboration of Sabrina Labrecque-Pegoraro. The event is open to all.

Suggested reading:

• Wemmers, J. (2017). Victimology: A Canadian Perspective, University of Toronto Press, Chapters 1 and 12.

More information is available here.