NCJ Number
184926
Date Published
May 1999
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This paper informs crime victims and their loved ones of their rights, how they can get help, and how they can work for positive change.
Abstract
A majority of States have amended their constitutions to guarantee certain rights for crime victims. Typically, these include the right to notification of all court proceedings related to the offense; the right to be reasonably protected from the accused offender; the right to have input at sentencing; the right to information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender; the right to an order of restitution from the convicted offender; the right to notice of these rights; and the right to standing to enforce these rights. Regarding services for crime victims, there are now thousands of programs in the United States that provide services and sanctuary to crime victims. Services provided are of two general types: compensation and assistance. Crime victim compensation programs reimburse victims of crime that occur within the State for crime-related expenses. Crime victim assistance programs provide a range of services that include crisis intervention, counseling, emergency shelter, criminal justice advocacy, and emergency transportation. Financial support for many of these crime victims programs is provided through the Crime Victims Fund administered by the Federal Office for Victims of Crime. The fund is supported by fines, penalty assessments, and bond forfeitures collected from convicted Federal offenders. Many crime victims and their survivors have volunteered their own time and resources toward such activities as creating and staffing programs, conducting legislative advocacy, working in shelters, and answering crisis hotlines. Phone numbers of national victim organizations are listed in this paper.