NCJ Number
53894
Journal
POLICE COLLEGE MAGAZINE Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (AUTUMN 1977) Pages: 23-27
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEM OF PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS IN GREAT BRITAIN IS DISCUSSED AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE.
Abstract
A VICTIM MAY NEED FOUR KINDS OF ASSISTANCE: (1) FINANCIAL SUPPORT, (2) EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, (3) ADVICE, AND (4) REFERRALS TO VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS. ADVICE MAY BE NEEDED ON INSURANCE MATTERS, CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION, AND REPAIRS TO DAMAGE. REFERRALS TO OTHER AGENCIES MIGHT INCLUDE REFERRALS TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, SOCIAL SECURITY DEPARTMENTS, HOUSING DEPARTMENTS, CHURCHES, AND OFFICES OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. LEGISLATION REGARDING COMPENSATION AND RESTITUTION IS CITED AS MEANS FOR AIDING THE VICTIM. COMPENSATION IS DEFINED AS A PAYMENT TO MAKE AMENDS FOR LOSS OR INJURY TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, OR AS RECOMPENSE FOR SOME DEPRIVATION. RESTITUTION IS DEFINED AS MAKING UP FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN LOST OR STOLEN, EITHER BY GIVING BACK THE THING ITSELF OR BY MAKING A PAYMENT OR RESTORING A THING TO ITS ORIGINAL STATE. FILING FOR CRIMINAL BANKRUPTCY IS SEEN AS A POSSIBLE MEANS OF SECURING COMPENSATION. IF THE VICTIM DOES NOT RECEIVE ADEQUATE RESTITUTION FROM THE COURT SYSTEM, HE MAY EITHER SUE THE OFFENDER THROUGH CIVIL COURT OR DEAL WITH HIS INSURANCE COMPANY IF HE HAS ONE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES MAKE EFFORTS TO PURSUE THE CRIMINAL ON THEIR OWN, EITHER THROUGH THE COURTS TO RECLAIM THEIR OWN LOSSES, OR VOID ANY INSURANCE COVERAGE ON A PERSON CONVICTED OF AN OFFENSE WHERE PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OR DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO ANOTHER AND WHERE THE OFFENDER HAS FAILED TO MAKE COMPENSATION. INCREASED EFFORTS BY VOLUNTEER GROUPS ARE URGED, ALONG WITH INCREASED USE OF THE INJURIES COMPENSATION BOARD WHICH COMPENSATES SELECTED VICTIMS. CALLING FOR BETTER TREATMENT OF VICTIMS WHO APPEAR AS WITNESSES, THE VIEW IS EXPRESSED THAT IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S TASK TO ENSURE LAW AND ORDER, AND THAT IF IT FAILS TO DO THIS, IT IS RESPONSIBLE, FOR THE VICTIM'S LOSSES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (MLC)