Towards a New Millennium in Victim Assistance (From International Victimology, P 233-240, 1996, Chris Sumner, Mark Israel, et al., eds. - See NCJ-169474)

• NCJ Number: 169498
• Author(s): M A Young
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This article describes attitudes necessary if victims' services are to be coordinated in accordance with human rights principles.

Abstract

The article presents four main principles of an effective victims' services program. (1) Compassion that spreads beyond traditional victim services to include offenders. Gang members, prison inmates and others who have committed violence are themselves worthy of assistance to help them unlearn that type of behavior and to deal with victimization done to them. In addition, services providers would be able to keep track of those who do not respond to treatment. (2) Community that seeks to overcome isolation and fear; to emphasize similarities, not differences; and to use new technologies to increase communication and foster personal contact. (3) Character that increases the accountability of the offender and the victim organization itself. Offenders are held accountable through retribution, victim restitution, community restitution and offender remorse. Victim assistance providers must take responsibility for and be accountable for the quality of their service; they should establish and monitor service standards and internal disciplinary procedures. (4) Courage to translate knowledge into action.