Offenders are to be forced to pay up to help victims of crime in Northern Ireland under new proposals put forward by the Northern Ireland Office.
As well as any prison sentence or court-imposed fine, criminals will have to contribute an additional fee to a support fund for those who have been wronged.
The Victims of Crime Fund is expected to generate £500,000 per year for victims.
Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins outlined the planned measures in a public consultation document.
"Victims and witnesses should be our top priority," he said.
"They deserve the highest standards of support and services to help them come to terms with their ordeal and cope with the experience of court."
The levy imposed on the offenders would range from £5 to £30.
Judges would have discretion to reduce the fee if the guilty party did not have the funds to pay.
Witnesses
The Minister also launched proposals aimed at improving special measures for vulnerable and intimidated victims giving evidence at court.
"Giving evidence in court can be a difficult experience for anyone, but for vulnerable witnesses it can be especially daunting," he said.
"The proposals set out in this consultation document - including the extension of special measures to those under 18 and the provision of automatic eligibility for video-recorded evidence to victims of rape and serious sexual assault - will provide vulnerable and intimidated witnesses with better support and protection when giving evidence."
Mr Goggins added: "It is particularly important that these consultations commence now as the Hillsborough Castle agreement gave a clear indication that the needs of victims would be a high priority, following the devolution of policing and criminal justice powers on 12 April.
"The feedback from those who participate in this consultation will help to develop appropriate policy and legislative proposals."
The consultation documents are available on the NIO website.
© Press Association