DEFENDER FOR VICTIMS - A PROPOSAL FOR COMPENSATORY SERVICES FOR VICTIMS (FROM CAPITULO CRIMINOLOGICO 5, P 291, 293-302, 1977)

• NCJ Number: 68045
• Author(s): J P J DUSSICH
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Country: Venezuela

Annotation

A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW TYPE OF SERVICE FOR CRIME VICTIMS IS PRESENTED. THE SERVICE WOULD INVOLVE EXTENSIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELING.

Abstract

COMPENSATORY DAMAGES TO VICTIMS ARE CHIEFLY OF A FINANCIAL NATURE, WHENEVER THEY ARE AVAILABLE. LOCAL COMMUNITIES OFFER EVEN LESS THAN THE COURTS: NO ASSISTANCE IS EXTENDED TO A PERSON WOUNDED BY AN ASSAILANT, TO A RAPE VICTIM, TO THE FAMILY OF A MURDER VICTIM. AN EXCEPTION TO PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL INDIFFERENCE TO THE PLIGHT OF CRIME VICTIMS IS CHICAGO'S BILLINGS HOSPITAL (OPERATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO) WHICH OFFERS MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT TO CRIME VICTIMS. OTHER PROBLEMS CAN LIE IN THE VICTIM-OFFENDER RELATIONSHIP AREA. SINCE VICTIMS SOMETIMES PRECIPITATE CRIME BY THEIR INADVERTENTLY CRIMINOGENIC BEHAVIOR, VICTIMS OF REPEATED CRIMES SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED FOR POSSIBLE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND HELPED TO MODIFY THEIR BEHAVIOR. THIS ARTICLE PROPOSES A NEW TYPE OF CRIME VICTIM SERVICE. IT WOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY STAFFED WITH LEGAL PERSONNEL. THE AGENCY WOULD OFFER LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS AFTER THE CRIME. IT WOULD OFFER CRIME VICTIMS, IDENTIFIED IN A PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED NEIGHBORHOOD, LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES ON AN OPTIONAL BASIS; ACT AS AN INTERMEDIARY BETWEEN THE CRIME VICTIM AND ALL AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS WHICH OFFER VICTIM SERVICES, AND PROTECT THE VICTIMS' PRIVACY BY VOLUNTEERING TO OFFER MEMBERS OF THE PRESS CORRECT INFORMATION ON THE CRIME AND DENYING THEM ACCESS TO THE VICTIMS. FURTHERMORE, ITS JOB WOULD BE TO ASCERTAIN WHAT, IF ANY, RELATIONSHIP EXISTED BETWEEN VICTIM AND OFFENDER PRIOR TO THE CRIME AND START A FILE WITH THIS INFORMATION ON ALL CLIENTS. STAFF WOULD ASSIST THE COURTS IN THE PRETRIAL INVESTIGATION OF CRIMES AGAINST CLIENTS AND ALSO GIVE THE SAME INFORMATION TO CORRECTIONAL STAFFS AFTER THE TRIAL, TO ASSIST IN THE OFFENDER'S REHABILITATION. THE STUDY CONCLUDES WITH AN OUTLINE OF RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR THE VICTIM DEFENDER'S OFFICE TO FOLLOW, A DISCUSSION OF FUNDING SOURCES, AND PARAMETERS OF EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM TO IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN IT ON AN ONGOING BASIS. --IN SPANISH. (LGR)