NCJ Number
179893
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: 1999 Pages: 167-178
Date Published
1999
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article questions the assumption that Dutch citizens' faith in their criminal justice system depends largely on the system's ability to sanction offenders.
Abstract
The treatment of victims in the criminal justice process is important to victims and more important than the ability of police to catch the offender. The article examines the impact of treatment on victims' satisfaction and support for the police and sentencing practices. By notifying victims of the developments in their case, police can improve victim satisfaction and support for them as well as increase support for sentencing practices. Failure to recognize the victim, regardless of the severity of the punishment imposed upon the offender, results in a significant decrease in victim satisfaction and support for the police. The paper includes a discussion of the implications of the findings for criminal justice policy. Harsher sentences will not improve public attitudes toward the justice system. To increase public support for criminal justice authorities and institutions, policy-makers must shift the emphasis from traditional models to a person-oriented system that reflects an interest in the position of the victim. Tables, notes, references