NCJ Number
49965
Date Published
1978
Length
75 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON VICTIM COMPENSATION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON CRIME PROBLEMS (ECCP) EXAMINES PROPOSALS PUT FORTH IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS.
Abstract
THE SURVEY FINDS THAT PRESENT LAWS AND PROCEDURES DO NOT ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE CRIME VICTIMS. OFFENDERS ARE OFTEN NOT FOUND, OR IF FOUND, ARE INSOLVENT. CIVIL PROCEEDINGS ARE LONG AND EXPENSIVE, AND JUDGMENTS ARE DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE. STATE COMPENSATION SCHEMES HAVE PROVED EXPENSIVE. IN 1976, ENGLAND, WALES, AND SCOTLAND SPENT APPROXIMATELY 6 MILLION POUNDS TO COMPENSATE VICTIMS. THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY ESTIMATES THE COST OF ITS PROGRAM AT 10 MILLION MARKS, AND THE NETHERLANDS FORESEES AN OUTLAY OF 1 MILLION GUILDERS. ITALY HAS A PLAN WHICH COMPENSATES VICTIMS FROM MONIES COLLECTED IN FINES AND FROM PRISON INDUSTRIES. PRIVATE INSURANCE AGAINST CRIME THROUGH EXTENSION OF CIVIL LIABILITY INSURANCE OR THROUGH SPECIAL ASSAULT INSURANCE IS SUGGESTED AS ONE ALTERNATIVE. ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS THAT VICTIMS BE COMPENSATED THROUGH THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM. IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED GENERALLY THAT COMPENSATION BE PAID TO THOSE WHO RECEIVE SEVERE BODILY INJURY OR TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIE AS A RESULT OF CRIME. APPENDIXES SUMMARIZE THE SITUATION REGARDING CRIME COMPENSATION FOR EACH OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBER STATES AND THE CONCLUSIONS ADOPTED BY THE 11TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF PENAL LAW. MEMBER STATES INCLUDE AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, CYPRUS, DENMARK, FRANCE, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, GREECE, ICELAND, IRELAND, ITALY, LUXEMBOURG, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, TURKEY, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM. (GLR)