The Departments of Political Science and History present a brown bag book lecture by Benjamin Perrin, Law Professor, UBC.
Book Synopsis
The treatment of victims of crime by the justice system has emerged as a major societal issue, spurring legislative reforms, public inquiries, complaints against judges and public debate. Victims are not mere pieces of evidence, but how can their rights be reconciled with the rights of the accused? How do we prevent their secondary victimization?
In Victim Law, one of the architects of the new Victims Bill of Rights Act examines and makes accessible the growing body of legislation and case law related to victims of crime throughout the criminal justice, corrections and youth criminal justice systems, and under provincial and territorial laws. Legal and policy recommendations are set out to make the justice system more responsive to the needs, interests and rights of victims of crime.
About the author
Benjamin Perrin is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, Peter A. Allard School of Law and a Munk Senior Fellow in Criminal Justice at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute for Public Policy.
Professor Perrin served in the Office of the Prime Minister as Special Advisor, Legal Affairs & Policy and was one of the architects of Bill C-32, the Victims Bill of Rights Act. He was lead policy advisor on all matters related to the Department of Justice, Public Safety Canada (including the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Correctional Service of Canada and Parole Board of Canada), and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Professor Perrin has been recognized for his research and volunteer work in support of victims of crime in Canada and overseas, including by the U.S. Department of State, the Governor General of Canada, YMCA, the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Alumni Association and the University of Calgary Alumni Association. He holds a Master of Laws (with honours) from McGill University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Commerce (with distinction) from the University of Calgary. He is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.