NCJ Number
139080
Journal
EuroCriminology Volume: 2 Dated: (1988) Pages: 101-113
Date Published
1988
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The idea of legal protection and social assistance to crime victims has gained support worldwide, and special victim assistance programs providing emergency aid, legal counsel, medical care, and comprehensive services have been implemented in Europe.
Abstract
The United States adopted the Omnibus Victim Protection Act of 1982, while the United Kingdom established the National Association of the Victim Support Schemes. The Council of Europe approved the Convention on Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes. In addition, the Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders adopted a declaration reflecting basic principles of justice for crime victims. This declaration identifies major areas of support and assistance to victims: access to justice and fair treatment; restitution from the offender and/or compensation from government; and medical, social, and psychological components of victim assistance. Victim support cannot be separated from a country's social welfare system, even though different approaches to victim assistance prevail. In European countries with a highly developed health care and social insurance system, the problem of crime victim assistance is seen in the context of social security. The ultimate goal of victim assistance is to alleviate the psychological and emotional trauma of victimization. Substantial progress in crime victim assistance and support depends on reorienting law enforcement and criminal justice information from a focus on protecting public interests against crime to a more victim-oriented perspective. 31 footnotes