NCJ Number
130001
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (1989) Pages: 236-256
Date Published
1989
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses the impact of victimology on criminal justice policy and examines some of the anticipated and unanticipated consequences of activities on behalf of victims.
Abstract
It also considers the financial and psychological needs of victims, the efforts by criminal justice agencies to meet them, and barriers to implementing the programs. The analysis notes that the call for a constitutional amendment concerning victims and the adoption of the United Nations declaration on victims show the importance of the issue and underscore the reality that the victims' movement can no longer be dismissed as a regressive development. It also notes that western countries are expanding victims' rights and improving programs and services for victims and that addressing victims' needs is important to maintaining citizens' perceptions of credibility of the criminal justice system. However, an uncritical commitment to victims' rights may be counterproductive, and cooperation among all parts of the criminal justice system is essential for meaningful implementation of victim programs. Notes and 87 references (Author abstract modified)