Victims in the Criminal Justice System

• NCJ Number: 161422
• Author(s): J M Wemmers
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 251 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press; Kugler Publications
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands
• Note: Studies on Crime and Justice a Series from the Dutch Research and Documentation Centre

Annotation

This work examines the role of legal authorities in the relationship between victims and the justice system.

Abstract

Victims of crime often experience a wide range of emotions following their victimization, including fear, anxiety, anger, and depression. It is important that legal authorities, including the police and the public prosecution, treat victims with dignity and respect. Guidelines presented herein offer authorities an effective means to improve the treatment of victims and at the same time to improve victims' attitudes towards them. By taking care of the victim and the law-abiding citizen, authorities can shape how victims rebuild their view of society and prevent them from becoming offenders. Aspects of the relationship between victims and the justice system include: (1) victims of crime; (2) victim policy and practice; (3) theory of and research into how treatment affects victims, including research design; (4) the meaning of fairness to victims; (5) effects of procedural justice on evaluations; and (6) effects of procedural justice on compliance. Figures, tables, references, author's curriculum vitae