ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL LAW IN REGARD TO VICTIMS OF OFFENSES (FROM VICTIMS OF OFFENSES - CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS NIJMEGEN, NETHERLANDS, MARCH 26 & 27, 1971 - SEE NCJ28430)

• NCJ Number: 28436
• Author(s): H KUIJPER
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 23 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

DUTCH CRIMINAL LAW CAN BE SAID TO PROTECT THE NONMATERIAL INTERESTS OF PUBLIC ORDER IN GENERAL, AS WELL AS THE MATERIAL INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUALS, BUT THE VICTIMS OF CRIME ARE PRETTY WELL IGNORED.

Abstract

SOME VICTIMOLOGISTS HAVE ARGUED THAT THE LAW SHOULD MAKE PROVISION FOR 'RESOLVING THE CONFLICT' BETWEEN OFFENDER AND VICTIM, BUT IT IS NOT MADE CLEAR HOW THIS IS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. THE AUTHOR REGARDS THE RESOLVING OF SUCH CONFLICTS AS THE TASK OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES, NOT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. VARIOUS WAYS OF GETTING THE OFFENDER TO DO MORE TO HELP THE VICTIM ARE DISCUSSED. APPLYING THE USUAL METHODS USED IN REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, AND BY THE SAME PERSONNEL, WOULD BE A MISTAKE. A WHOLE NEW APPROACH WOULD HAVE TO BE LEARNED FOR USE WITH VICTIMS. HOWEVER, REHABILITATION WORKERS, IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH THEIR OFFENDER CLIENTS, CAN TRY TO BRING ABOUT THE DESIRED RESOLUTION OF CONFLICT BETWEEN OFFENDER AND VICTIM.