NCJ Number
135705
Date Published
1990
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Since the 1960's, victimological research has produced three major findings of importance to criminal justice policy: the recognition of the crime victim as the "gatekeeper" to the criminal justice system, the severe psychological and sometimes social impacts of victimization by violent crime, and the criminal justice system's indifferent handling of victims.
Abstract
Supporting these victimological findings have been empirical findings regarding repeat serious offenders, the ineffectiveness of current inmate programs in preventing recidivism, and the importance of socialization rather than deterrence as a method of crime prevention. These and other findings have indicated that crime victims need their own legal position in criminal proceedings, that methods of resolving interpersonal conflicts need to be practiced starting in childhood, and that punishment is as ineffective in everyday child-rearing as it is in criminal procedure and corrections. In addition, the Council of Europe and the United Nations have focused on victimology, and nations such as the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany have enacted victim protection laws. Further reforms are needed, including reorienting the criminal justice system to the concept of restitution, increasing the use of arbitration and mediation, and other measures. 57 reference notes