NCJ Number
187643
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: 2000 Pages: 251-263
Date Published
2000
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article describes Sweden's approach to integrating a victim perspective into the criminal justice system.
Abstract
The article analyzes the place of the victim in the Swedish criminal justice system, the injuries that qualify for compensation from the Crime Victim Compensation Authority, levels of payment, and proposals for reform, all within the context of a feminist political agenda. After World War II, public opinion in Sweden gradually recognized the need for special efforts against crime as a threat to the State and its inhabitants. Also during this period, the need for compensation to victims of crime slowly attracted special attention. The State gradually took on responsibility for adjudged economic compensation to crime victims. The social welfare system also covers costs for medical and social treatment and care and losses from industrial injury. The remaining need for compensation mainly refers to criminal violation of victims' integrity and the harm caused by an offense. The article concludes that the position of crime victims in Sweden has improved during recent decades. Compensation for personal injuries has been enlarged to include compensation for violation of personal integrity, a recognition of the victim's blamelessness. References