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Crime, Punishment, and Victim Distress

NCJ Number
154501
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 3 Issue: 1/2 Dated: (1994) Pages: 33-55
Author(s)
P Tontodonato; E Erez
Date Published
1994
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study explored the role played by the criminal justice experience in victim distress level and the relative importance of victim, offense, and system participation variables.
Abstract
The database was comprised of 500 felony cases and 550 victims; all cases were prosecuted in one county in Ohio between 1985 and 1988. A victimization survey covered the victim's participation in the criminal justice process, victim's receipt of any restitution, victim's satisfaction with the sentence and the overall criminal justice system, and victim's experience of distress or depression immediately following the victimization experience. Results showed that level of distress following the victimization was largely a measure of offense type, victim perception of sentence severity, and victim sex and age. Receiving restitution and level of distress following the victimization were the best predictors of current victim distress level, while marital status and race were also significant factors. 5 tables, 14 notes, 2 appendixes, and 48 references