NCJ Number
213807
Date Published
October 2006
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video explores the criminal justice system’s response to crime victims in the areas of victim notification and basic case information from a crime victim’s perspective and the necessary steps to improve the criminal justice system’s response to crime victims.
Abstract
Key points taken from the round table discussion with crime victims related to notification and case information include: (1) victims need to be advised about court proceedings in order to exercise their rights; (2) sensitivity training is needed in the delivery of death notifications; (3) truth in sentencing is a critical issue to crime victims; (4) provide information to families who have suffered victimization about existing organizations that can help them; and (5) information is critical to the well-being of crime victims. Actions being taken by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) to improve the criminal justice system to better serve victims of crime include: funding the Federal Victim Notification System, death notification training seminars, and the online Directory of Crime Victim Services. The director for OVC met crime victims from across the United States to discuss their experiences with the criminal justice system. Round table discussions were held in nine States. An analysis of the discussions showed problem areas within the criminal justice system which require remedies for the satisfaction of crime victims. A video series was created reflecting some of the key findings from the round table discussions. This video is one of five in the series focusing on victim notification and basic case information. Crime victims speak of their personal experiences and encounters with the various agencies and processes in the criminal justice system with a response on how the criminal justice system can improve to better serve crime victims.