NCJ Number
127806
Date Published
1991
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the results of evaluative research on crime victim compensation schemes in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.
Abstract
Under the victim compensation schemes of these countries, compensable offenses are limited almost entirely to violent crimes, and compensable losses are limited to medical costs, loss of earnings due to physical injury, and funeral costs. Property losses are virtually never compensable. Compensation for pain and suffering is provided under relatively few schemes. The use of minimum-loss criteria has been criticized by some evaluators as discriminating against the poor, for whom amounts below the statutory minimum may be significant sums. Estimations indicate that program costs would not be substantially increased by eliminating minimum-loss criteria. In attempting to reduce the "unjust" award of benefits, some programs have excluded victims related to offenders and victims who contributed to their own injury. Many critics maintain that this first condition often denies compensation to deserving victims, for example, abused spouses and children. A significant number of crime victims who have applied for compensation, even those receiving awards, were dissatisfied with delays, inconveniences, poor information, inability to participate, and restrictive eligibility requirements. 38 references