犯罪被害者支援で新制度　改正法案を閣議決定

　政府は５日の閣議で、犯罪被害者支援のため、日本司法支援センター（法テラス）の業務を拡充する総合法律支援法改正案を決定した。殺人や性犯罪の遺族や被害者に対し、弁護士が包括的、継続的な支援を行えるようにする。被害者の精神的負担や経済的負担を軽減する狙い。成立すれば、公布後２年以内に施行する。
　新制度の名称は「犯罪被害者等支援弁護士制度」で、法テラスの業務に被害者支援を追加する。殺人、傷害致死、危険運転致死などの遺族や、不同意わいせつ、不同意性交といった性犯罪の被害者を支援対象とする。（2024/03/05-08:43）

The Japanese government Tuesday adopted a bill to expand the operations of the Japan Legal Support Center so that sex crime victims and bereaved families of murder victims can receive support from lawyers more easily.
   The bill to revise the comprehensive legal support law, approved at a cabinet meeting, is designed to reduce the mental and financial burdens of victims and bereaved families. If enacted, the amendment will come into effect within two years after its promulgation.
   Specifically, the center, set up by the government to provide legal assistance to citizens, will be newly tasked with supporting bereaved families of murder victims and those killed by dangerous driving and other offenses, as well as victims of indecent assault, sexual intercourse without consent and other sex crimes.
   Lawyers working for the center will assist such people in drawing up and submitting damage reports and criminal complaints and negotiating out-of-court settlements with perpetrators.
   The lawyers will also represent victims and bereaved families in damages lawsuits, accompany them to investigative organizations and administrative agencies and attend court hearings with them.