NCJ Number
143507
Date Published
1985
Length
496 pages
Annotation
This is the report of the Canadian Federal Provincial Working Group on Justice for Victims of Crime, which was established in December 1981 to examine issues relating to justice for crime victims.
Abstract
The report is divided into four parts. Part I examines those victim services that are clearly the responsibility of the criminal justice system. Part II reviews those services that are delivered mostly by social and health services. Part III focuses on possible sources of funding for victim services and with the issues that may affect the organization of those services in the future. Part IV presents the Working Group's conclusions. The Working Group concludes that victims who have varied or "special" needs are having those needs met wholly or partially, at least in the more heavily populated areas. Some of the needs that all victims have in common, however, are not being met to the same degree; these are needs for information about the criminal justice process, the progress of their own case, adequate compensation, the opportunity to inform the court of the impact of the crime upon them, and treatment with courtesy and respect. The changes required to improve the services to meet these needs are less in the area of legislation than in administrative practices and personnel attitudes. Efforts must be made in the areas of additional funding, the establishment of structures to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively, maximization of the use of volunteers, and the setting of priorities. Subject index