Preventing Re-Victimization: The South Australian Experience (From International Victimology, P 227-231, 1996, Chris Sumner, Mark Israel, et al., eds. - See NCJ-169474)

• NCJ Number: 169497
• Author(s): A Paterson
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This paper describes some of the basic requirements of systems that attempt to meet victims' needs in ways that prevent revictimization.

Abstract

Victim support programs should: (1) be "victim driven" as much as possible; (2) have political support; (3) involve government and non-government agencies that have open agendas and provide services to victims at all levels in the community; (4) be well publicized and easily accessed by victims and their families; (5) be flexible and adaptable and not hampered by stereotyped views of victims and situations; (6) recognize the need for patience and realism regarding structural change; (7) maintain close ties with academic victimologists; (8) have a far more obvious role in crime prevention programs; (9) address the heightened anxiety levels and fear of crime among elderly people; and (10) develop professional interfaces with and between a wide variety of participants within the criminal justice system. A well-supported and well-informed victim makes the best possible witness for the prosecution and it is therefore in the interests of police departments to provide such services and support. References