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Assistance to Victims: A Survey

NCJ Number
61330
Journal
DELIKT EN DELINKWENT Volume: 7 Issue: 9 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1977) Pages: 586-615
Author(s)
M KNEEPKENS; H MOERLAND; H RODERMOND
Date Published
1977
Length
30 pages
Annotation
PROGRAMS PROVIDING MATERIAL AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE TO CRIME VICTIMS IN THE NETHERLANDS ARE CLASSIFIED AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ARE ASSESSED.
Abstract
THE FORMS OF ASSISTANCE DESCRIBED ENCOMPASS MEANS OF ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CIVIL COURTS. CLASSIFICATION OF ASSISTANCE TYPES DIFERENTIATES BETWEEN SPECIFIC AND GENERAL VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND BETWEEN ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO ALL VICTIMS OR ONLY TO VICTIMS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. THE FOUR CATEGORIES CREATED ARE NONSPECIFIC ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES, SPECIFIC ASSISTANCE FOR CRIMINAL OFFENSES, SPECIFIC ASSISTANCE FOR NONCRIMINAL OFFENSES, AND NONSPECIFIC ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF NONCRIMINAL OFFENSES. A LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS IS PROVIDED IN EACH CATEGORY. ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CAN BE FURTHER DIFFERENTIATED BY THE DEGREE OF GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT: WHETHER THE ASSISTANCE RESULTS FROM GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES, IS SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT RESOURCES, OR IS EVALUATED THROUGH GOVERNMENT EFFORTS, SUCH AS UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROJECTS. ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS MAY TRY TO REDUCE OR TO ELIMINATE MATERIAL DAMAGES, TO REDUCE OR TO ELIMINATE IMMATERIAL DAMAGES, OR TO PREVENT FURTHER VICTIMIZATION. AID MAY TAKE THE FORM OF FINANCIAL COMPENSATION, MORAL SUPPORT AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING TO ASSIST VICTIMS IN DEALING WITH OFFENSE-RELATED EMOTIONAL REACTIONS, OR ATTEMPTS TO HALT THE PROGRESS OF AN ESCALATING CONFLICT SITUATION, AND ARRANGEMENT OF VICTIM-OFFENDER MEETINGS TO RESOLVE VICTIM-OFFENDER CONFLICTS. EXAMINATION OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS INDICATES THAT VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ARE RARELY INITIATED OR SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. JUDICIAL AND POLICE POLICY REMAIN FOCUSED ON IMPROVEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY, ADMINISTRATION, AND CRIME PREVENTION RATHER THAN ON ACTUAL ASSISTANCE. LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATIONS EXPECT COOPERATION FROM VICTIMS WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF EXPENSES TO VICTIMS. VICTIM COMPENSATION MAY BE CONTINGENT ON VICTIMS' ACCEPTANCE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION'S INTERPRETATION OF EVENTS. EVEN THE GOVERNMENT FUND TO PAY DAMAGES TO VICTIMS HAS BEEN OF VIRTUALLY NO VALUE: ONLY FIVE PERSONS RECEIVED PAYMENTS IN 1976. IN THE AUTHOR'S VIEW, REAL VICTIM ASSISTANCE IS UNLIKELY IN A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH SOCIAL CONTROL. NOTES ARE SUPPLIED.

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