NCJ Number
88593
Date Published
1982
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Using a series of animated, graphic illustrations, this film raises sympathy for crime victims, revealing the disregard they experience from the criminal justice system in the wake of their victimization.
Abstract
It presents three different crimes, but emphasizes the commonalities among the victims -- their emotional trauma after the incident and their bewilderment at the justice procedures which follow. The victims are an elderly couple whose home is burglarized, a young girl who is sexually assaulted, and a farmer harassed by his neighbor. In discussing the sorts of problems victims encounter, the commentary points out that agencies do exist for helping crime victims with advice and emotional support. But, depending on whether the crime occurs in an urban or a rural community and during the day or at night, service quality and even availability may vary greatly. Improvements in service provision should be sought by both citizen groups and the police. The former should promote or start victim assistance agencies and advance victim interests with their congressmen, the press, and the local citizenry. Police officers should be trained to recognize and deal with victim-witness stress, to explain the crime scene and court procedures, and to have information available on sources of assistance to victims.