FOR THE VICTIMS OF CRIME - A NEW APPROACH (FROM VICTIMOLOGY - A NEW FOCUS, V 2 - SOCIETY'S REACTION TO VICTIMIZATION, 1974 BY ISRAEL DRAPKIN AND EMILIO VIANO SEE NCJ-15541)

• NCJ Number: 30590
• Author(s): R GLATFELTER
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Lexington Books
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

AFTER REVIEWING THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXISTING FORMS OF VICTIM COMPENSATION - PRIVATE INSURANCE, CIVIL ACTION, AND RESTITUTION - A PROPOSAL IS MADE TO INSTITUTE A PROGRAM OF STATE VICTIM COMPENSATION.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT UNDER THE EXISTING OFFENDERORIENTED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, OFFENDERS ARE TREATED WITH MORE CARE THAN VICTIMS. HE STATES THAT IF SOCIETY MUST ACCEPT THE BLAME FOR PRODUCING THE CRIMINAL, THEN IT MUST ACCEPT ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE VICTIM AND PAY FOR THE DAMAGES SOCIETY'S FAILURE HAS WROUGHT. IT IS NOTED THAT VICTIMS OF CRIME ARE MOST OFTEN THE POOR, THE ELDERLY, MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS, OR THE YOUNG. THESE PEOPLE ARE LEAST ABLE TO AFFORD TRADITIONAL COMPENSATION MEASURES - CRIME INSURANCE AND CIVIL COURT ACTIONS. IT IS ARGUED THAT A STATE COMPENSATION SCHEME WOULD BE THE MOST JUST AND EFFICIENT, SINCE IT WOULD INSURE THAT THE VICTIM WILL RECEIVE THE SAME CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO THE CRIMINAL WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REPORT A GREATER PERCENTAGE OF CRIMES, AND WOULD ENCOURGAE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)