NCJ Number
213809
Date Published
October 2006
Length
0 pages
Annotation
In this video, crime victims speaking at roundtables sponsored by the U.S. Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime talk about their experiences in interacting with criminal justice personnel in the course of processing their cases.
Abstract
Crime victims' comments about how they were treated by criminal justice personnel are generally negative. Specific complaints stem from the general attitude among criminal justice professionals that they own the case because from a legal perspective the crime was against the state and not the victim. One complaint is the insensitivity of the police to victims' suffering and emotional need to have information about the case and how it is proceeding. A related complaint is the sense of detachment of first responders to the impact of the crime on the victim, particularly family members of homicide victims. Another complaint is the use of plea bargaining that results in reduced sentences that seem to victims to benefit offenders while ignoring what victims feel is a just resolution of the case. A related complaint is a general disregard for victims' involvement in decisions that affect case outcomes. Some victims speak of their feeling that criminal justice professionals view victims' involvement in case processing as an inconvenience and an intrusion into their professional duties. Suggestions derived from victims' comments are improved sensitivity training in dealing with crime victims, improved frequency and quality of communication between criminal justice professionals and crime victims, and training that focuses on a reorientation of criminal justice professionals regarding their responsibilities and services to crime victims. Ways that the Office for Victims of Crime is helping to improve criminal justice system services to victims are listed at the end of the video. The roundtables were held in 9 States, with victims represented from just over 30 States.