NCJ Number
72733
Date Published
1979
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The primary and secondary harm to crime victims, as well as the types of available victim compensation and treatment programs are described.
Abstract
Primary damages from crimes are financial, physical, and psychological; the latter may cause long-term effects such as apathy, depression, outbreaks of rage, and psychosomatic symptoms. Such long-term effects may cause alterations in life style, e.g., fear of going out, introversion, family disputes, and even suicide. The victim feels isolated because of lack of consideration by family, friends, and colleagues; court and police questions are frequently embarrassing and degrading. Victims can be compensated by the state, by the offender, by insurance, or by voluntary assistance from the community. Unfortunately, victims often fail to seek compensation, in part from ignorance and in part from fear of social rejection if the crime becomes known. Restitution by the offender is especially important, as it improves the offender-victim relationship and aids in offender resocialization. Several special centers have been established for this purpose, e.g., the Minnesota Restitution Center, where victims assist in rehabilitation efforts. A new process of dealing with such cases has been recommended: all parties involved in prosecution, i.e., judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, accused, and victim sit down together and, after discussing the conflicts which led to the offense, reach an agreement on restitution procedures. Family conflicts and child abuse are best handled informally, as destruction of the family unit and financial hardship can thus be averted. Victim advocate programs and victim-witness assistance programs seek to protect the interests of victims in formal proceedings. Victim treatment programs staffed by volunteers, e.g., rape crisis centers and consumer fraud bureaus, provide immediate assistance to individual victims, inform the public on such matters as self-defense and avoidance, and stimulate legal reform. Assistance may take the form of medical aid, clothing and necessities, psychiatric crisis intervention, and counseling for social readjustment. Such victim assistance also encourages offender resocialization efforts. Notes and a 59-item bibliography are furnished.