NCJ Number
86213
Date Published
1982
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This essay considers the application of victimological research to the victim's reintegration, notably rape and mugging victims, and the effectiveness of restitution and victim compensation schemes is assessed.
Abstract
In the case of the reintegration of the rape victim into society, researchers might build upon case study material to examine the consequences of different kinds of courtroom experiences upon victims so as to develop procedural policy that will ameliorate the courtroom trauma for the victim without compromising due process requirements. Treatment programs should be careful not to prolong the negative impact of the rape experience by reinforcing negative attitudes toward men and the association of violent behavior with men. Mugging victims tend to develop mistrust and wariness toward strangers in their environment and a sense of vulnerability develops. Longitudinal studies should test whether these victim symptoms are prolonged and what experiences tend to mitigate them. Restitution programs, which are purported to be a means of relieving a victim of financial loss and giving the victim a sense of justice having been done, often fail to give the victim what has been promised and tend to focus instead on the rehabilitation of the offender. An assessment of victim compensation programs concludes that the focus of the program solely on monetary reimbursement is inadequate. Victims appear to need an overall strategy for reintegration that includes both financial and emotional help, as well as rational guidance from a person sensitive to and knowledgeable about the needs of victims of particular crimes. Twenty-five references are listed.