Victim/Witness Services - A Review of the Literature

• NCJ Number: 79621
• Author(s): E C Viano
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 42 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-019-78
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Institute for Advanced Studies; Public Management and Research Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A review of victimology literature covers methodological issues, victim-offender relationships, responses to victimization, and victim treatment.

Abstract

Victimology has shifted its focus from analysis of victim situations for specific crimes to affirmative action on behalf of victims and witnesses. The impetus for the shift in focus derives from a strong movement by the public and the criminal justice system to seek equitable treatment of victims and witnesses and from the women's movement, which has adopted the cause of rape victims and of battered wives. The growing popularity of applied research in criminal justice aimed at utilizing research findings and at introducing social change has also influenced current trends. The review briefly discusses the merits of victimization surveys, victimization rates, demographic characteristics, and variations in types of crime reported. Survey problems, such as variations between official and self-reporting data are addressed as is the victim's vulnerability by age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status. Victim-offender differences, victimization patterns, offenders' and victims' reactions to each other, victim role typology, victim precipitation, compensation, and rape are also reviewed. Other areas treated are the time-lag in reporting crimes; underreporting in police statistics; perceptions of the environment; the witness/bystander role; and the criminal justice system's role regarding the impact on the victim. Over 100 references are cited.