NCJ Number
84598
Journal
Impact Issue: I Dated: (1982) Pages: 32-41
Date Published
1982
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The increasing focus on victims through programs giving financial aid, lending victim/witness assistance, and conducting victimization surveys can make the criminal justice system more humane and just by minimizing the cost, trauma, and inconvenience to victims.
Abstract
Financial aid to victims may come through programs not specifically designed for crime victims, such as Medicare, unemployment insurance, and welfare. Four other general ways victims may obtain financial assistance are private litigation through civil courts, claims to private insurance, crime compensation programs, and restitution. Victim/witness assistance programs deal with the social, emotional, and practical needs of victims and witnesses. They are distinguished on the basis of the kind of crime victims they serve: abused children, rape victims, elderly crime victims, etc. Some programs provide improved scheduling and notification of required court appearances for those victims asked to be witnesses, transportation to and from court, child care while in court, special court reception rooms for victims, and regular notices to keep them informed of the criminal proceedings. Victimization surveys provide data on victimization rates, as well as data on factors associated with the risk of being victimized, on the impact of crime, and on feedback information about the performance of various sectors of the criminal justice system. About 50 references are supplied.