NCJ Number
243223
Date Published
March 2013
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This bulletin emphasizes the heightened importance of enforcing mandated crime victims' rights for "polyvictims" (those who have experienced multiple victimizations of different types during their lives) in their interaction with the criminal justice system.
Abstract
Experiencing a more consistent and attentive enforcement of polyvictims' rights in the course of the processing of their cases by the criminal justice system can help in preventing or mitigating the "secondary trauma" that may be associated with the criminal justice system's handling of the case. Of critical importance are the manner in which polyvictims are treated by criminal justice personnel throughout the criminal justice process, the amount of control that polyvictims are given in the process and the extent to which they are allowed to participate in the case processing. Although the specific rights guaranteed to victims vary across the Nation, every State, the Federal Government, and the District of Columbia have enacted statutory and rule-based protections for crime victims. Common victims' rights include the right to protection, the right to notice about key stages in case processing; the right to be heard; the right to be present at court proceedings; the right to privacy; the right to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect; the right to confer with the prosecution; and the right to restitution. At the outset of the victim's contact with the criminal justice system, it would be helpful for practitioners to discuss with the victim the role of a victims' rights attorney and how he/she might assist the polyvictim. Any previous adverse experiences with the criminal justice system should be identified and addressed. 33 notes