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Professionalizing Victim Assistance: Activities and Developments

NCJ Number
190700
Journal
Judicial Explorations (Justiteile verkenningen) Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: 2001 Pages: 10-19
Author(s)
Y. H. Heslinga
Date Published
2001
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article describes the ways in which Slachtofferhulp Nederland, the Dutch Victim Support organization, has professionalized victim assistance in the Netherlands and outlines its proposals for improving victim services in that country.
Abstract
Slachtofferhulp Nederland is committed to offering comprehensive, specialized victim care to meet the needs of an increasing number of victims of violent crime and traffic accidents. The organization is concerned about the possibility and consequences of the commercialization and privatization of victim services in the Netherlands, and it is urging the government as well as non-governmental organizations in this field to establish standards for victim care and affiliated services. The focus of future victim services will be "victim empowerment," which involves facilitating victim self-help by equipping victims with the means and the legal basis for obtaining needed services. Legislative powers in the Netherlands must be prepared to grant substantial new legal privileges to victims, especially in the penal law-system. Slachtofferhulp Nederland has committed itself to anticipate new developments that can enhance victim services, such as the Internet and other advanced technologies. 3 figures and 2 tables