Situation of Crime Victims in the Federal Republic of Germany (From Changing Victim Policy: The United Nations Victim Declaration and Recent Developments in Europe: Report on Expert Group Meeting, 1988, Helsinki, P 140-152, 1989 -- See NCJ-122412)

• NCJ Number: 122418
• Author(s): W Schadler
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI)
• Publication Type: Survey (Cross-Cultural)
• Language: English
• Country: Finland

Annotation

Criminal justice policies in the Federal Republic of Germany have largely provided rational approaches for offenders only and have generally overlooked the needs of victims, but major legislative reform that took effect in January 1987 has focused on the protection of crime victims.

Abstract

This law aims to protect the individual, expand the victim's formal rights to participation in criminal proceedings, and simplify the procedures for the collection of damages. The victim now has extensive legal rights, but they extend only to victims of crimes against sexual self-determination, slander and libel, assault, crimes against personal freedom, and attempted homicide. In the future more importance should be placed on the victim services outside the courtroom. A pilot project in Hessen has provided moral support and practical services such as transportation; these services have proved to be both useful and appreciated. Experiments have also been conducted regarding victim-offender mediation. The results have shown that victims of property crimes are more willing to accept restitution than are victims of violent crimes and that all victims want the offender to be punished in addition. However, another study has shown that restitution is acceptable to victims as a substitute for criminal proceedings in cases of minor offenses.