NCJ Number
118931
Date Published
1989
Length
36 pages
Annotation
This chapter reviews the impact of the victim's movement on the consequences of being a victim of violent and serious crime, examines how the analytical perspectives and practical objectives of this movement contrast with those of criminologists and criminal justice practitioners, summarizes current knowledge about the experiences and sequelae of victimization, and suggests some directions for policy research.
Abstract
The chapter begins by exploring three themes of the victim's rights movement: difficulties some victims experience have been ignored by researchers, practitioners, and the public; these difficulties are exacerbated by other citizens and by the criminal justice system; and safeguards that protect or serve the alleged or convicted offender outweigh the safeguards that protect or serve the victim. A review of criminological research indicates that the dominant focus has been on the victim's contribution to victimization rather than on the consequences to the victim. In contrast, the victim's movement has emphasized the mitigation and relief of victim's needs. Future victimization research should focus on the correlates and causes of victimization as well as the development and evaluation of alternative criminal justice and allied victim treatment programs and modalities. 17 notes, 70 references.