Victims' Needs, Victims' Rights: Policies and Programs for Victims of Crime in Australia

• NCJ Number: 180594
• Author(s): Bree Cook; Fiona David; Anna Grant
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 172 pages
• Corporate Author: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Research and Public Policy Series No. 19

Annotation

This report presents an overview of victim services in Australia, based on a literature review and interviews with representatives of service providers, police agencies, legal establishments, and non-governmental organizations in each capital city in Australia.

Abstract

Recorded crime statistics reveal that more than 1 million people in Australia become crime victims each year. However, these figures do not include victims' friends and families or the community in general and include only reported crime. Most victimization occurs in the home; much is among victims and offenders who know each other. Fear of crime is generally much higher than the measured level of crime. Crime victimization has physical, psychological, and financial consequences. Victims often seek help or receive offers of help from people ranging from friends and family to police and other professionals. The victim movement began to emerge fully in Australia only in the early 1980's, during a time of systematic and structural change. Many initial developments resulted from community action by crime victims who were trying to improve the situation for others. Australian jurisdictions vary in the types of victim services offered and the ways in which services are structured and provided. However, jurisdictions have influenced one another and are all moving in a similar broad direction. Further needed policy and action changes include improved data collection and statistics, improved victim information and education, facilities for the protection of vulnerable witnesses, preparation and support during testimony, the opportunity to submit victim impact statements, and improvements in media coverage of victims. Overall, Australia has made considerable progress over the past 25 years growing support exists for a system in which victims and offenders interact and each has an important role in the process and outcome. Additional recommendations, tables, appended list of participants and background materials, and 116 references