NCJ Number
131715
Date Published
1991
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Interest in victims of crime is not a new issue in the Netherlands, but present victim policies primarily evolved during the 1980's.
Abstract
Dutch policies focus on improving the position of the victim within the criminal justice system. Guidelines for police and prosecutors have been introduced to facilitate the proper treatment of all crime victims. Central issues in the guidelines are victims' rights to information and restitution and the referral of needy victims to local support schemes. Activities to develop victim services have expanded with the introduction of the guidelines. Victim service programs now include improved information for crime victims, victim notification, and public prosecutor meetings with victims. In order to stimulate victim compensation, several experiments are being conducted that involve the police, public prosecutors, and lawyers. Police are required to ask victims explicitly whether they want to claim damages. Further, police must inform victims about possibilities for settling damages. Other experiments involve victim attitudes and links between public prosecutors and lawyers and victim restitution. It is concluded that the successful implementation of victim services ultimately relies on police and public prosecutor initiatives. It is also felt that the current organization of victim service programs may be too general, since different victim groups may require different treatment. 31 references