Fight for Victim's Rights in Florida: The Realities of Social Reform (From Academically Speaking: Criminal Justice- Related Research by Florida's Doctoral Candidates, P 111-117, 1991, Diane L. Zahm, ed. -- See NCJ-150081)

• NCJ Number: 150085
• Author(s): S L Sayles
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; Florida Statistical Analysis Ctr
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the development of the victims' rights movement in the U.S., with a particular focus on Florida.

Abstract

In that State, a coalition called the Florida Network for Victim Witness Services (FNVWS) spearheaded the movement. As in other social movements, many States model their legislation and organization upon Florida's example, for instance in the constitutional amendment passed there recognizing the rights of victims to be heard at all crucial hearings in the processing of criminal cases. The creation of the Florida Crimes Compensation Commission in the mid-1970's was the Legislature's confirmation that victims rights were a valid political issue. The FNVWS is an umbrella network of service providers, self-help groups, and individual survivors whose aim is to provide training and technical assistance, and to act as a unified body, to educate the Legislature for the funding, creation, and continuation of already-existing programs. Unfortunately, the leadership of the FNVWS includes personality types ranging from the charismatic and statesman, to agitator and bureaucrat. As a result of the FNVWS' bureaucratization and institutionalization, the victims' rights movement, according to this author, has become another symbolic and rhetorical arm of government. 28 references