Victimolog 2022docx
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School
San Francisco State University *
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Course
500
Subject
Law
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by MagistrateScorpion15560
1
Victimology
Name
Institution
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Introduction
The victims encounter painful experiences apart from the physical losses of their property
or their loved ones once a crime occurs. As a result, victims seek justice to recover and revenge against the incident. This paper explores the victim's needs and how to address their concerns. The criminal justice should recognize different victim needs, including revenge, recovery, and emotional support, to work towards addressing these concerns. Part 1: Justice and the 3 Goals Victims Can Pursue
Victims should bring to attention their problems with the criminal justice system to recover from the incident. The victims also want the legal system to hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes (UNODC, n.d.). For example, the murder victims, including family members and friends of a deceased loved one, seek the court to hold the perpetrators accountable. In addition, the victims want respect and recognition after the incident (UNODC, n.d.). Thus, this shows that actors in the legal system should know how to respond to the victim's
needs effectively.
The meaning of justice to the victims changes with time and depends on their personality.
Shortly after the crime occurs, justice to the victims means “revenge” for the pain and damages (physical or emotional injuries and property losses) suffered by the victim (Courtney & Pelletier,
2016, August 5). It may also mean restitution or compensation if an incident involves property losses. In the long-term, justice to the victim may mean “recovery,” including learning how to cope with an incident (Courtney & Pelletier, 2016, August 5). For example, a person that has lost
a close relative through homicide may learn to live a healthy life without their loved one.
Reasons the Victims Should Bring Their Problems to the Attention of the Legal System
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The legal system can achieve the victim's needs. An adequate response to the victim's needs is critical for them to recover from the unfortunate incident. Respect and recognition are also necessary when dealing with victims (UNODC, n.d.). Undoubtedly, human dignity is an inalienable right and the foremost need for victims. Therefore, treating the victims with the utmost dignity by being empathetic is essential.
Protection from physical or emotional victimization is another necessary to improve victim well-being. For example, maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of sensitive information is essential to avoid further victimization. Finally, support and assistance to help the victim cope with life after the incident are also vital to improve the physical and emotional well-
being of the victim (UNODC, n.d.). For example, counseling and other psychotherapy activities are necessary to allow a victim to live a healthier life. Thus, this exposes the importance of providing social and emotional support to a victim.
There are three distinct goals the victims seek to achieve. Punishment (revenge) for the incident is the first goal. Victims seek to revenge for the pain and damages caused by the offender. For instance, a theft victim would want the legal system to punish the offender for causing the victim emotional suffering and property loss.
The second goal is rehabilitation. Victims also seek rehabilitation for themselves and the offenders (UNODC, n.d.). For example, a murder victim may seek to recover from the mental health concern after the incident. Likewise, the same victim may seek rehabilitation of the victim
after the incident.
Finally, restitution is the last goal. Restitution occurs when the victim seeks restoration of
losses they experienced after the incident. For example, a fraud victim may seek compensation
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for lost money or property. In addition, restorative and restitution may apply when a victim seeks
to repair and restore the relationship with an offender.
Part 2: Restorative Justice
Restorative justice is an alternative to the retributive approach. In restorative justice, the focus is on rehabilitating and restoring the relationship between an offender and the victim (University of Wisconsin, n.d.). Restorative justice addresses dehumanization frequently encountered by the offenders and victims in the punitive justice system. Unlike retributive justice, the restorative approach adopts a holistic perspective to view the crime. Restorative justice considers crime a violation of existing relationships between people (University of Wisconsin, n.d.). Therefore, this explains why the main aim of restorative justice is to repair the damaged relationship between the victim and an offender.
Restorative justice also explores the adverse crime effects and determines potential actions to undertake to address the crime. In restorative justice, accountability means owning or accepting responsibility for the incident and working towards repairing the relationship (University of Wisconsin, n.d.). Offenders also work toward correcting their behaviors to avoid reoffending. Therefore, this promotes rehabilitation among the offenders.
Finally, restorative justice is an inclusive approach that incorporates victims, survivors, and offenders in finding a solution toward victim recovery and behavioral correction. In contrast to traditional punitive justice, restorative justice empowers the victims. Additionally, the community is an integral player in restorative justice by creating standards, holding an offender liable, and offering the necessary support to the offender and the victim to recover (University of
Wisconsin, n.d.). Hence, this has helped in better reintegration of the offender into society.
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Warrick Dunn, the NFL star, is the victim that lost her mother to a brutal killing in 1993. For a long time, her death had traumatized Dunn. Dunn's love for her mother explains this traumatizing experience (Delrosario, 2010, October 13). However, Dunn did the unthinkable by deciding to forgive the assailant that robbed his mother’s life. Dunn goes a step further to look for his mother’s killer in prison. Upon meeting the killer, Dunn decides to forgive him. Dunn’s action reflects a prime example of restorative justice (Delrosario, 2010, October 13). Instead of seeking revenge for his mother’s death, Dunn sought to repair his relationship with the assailant. In my view, I would be open to restorative justice because it is more effective in allowing
a victim to recover. In addition, restorative justice is ideal for offenders to recognize their mistakes and correct their behavior. Thus, restorative justice works towards rehabilitating an offender.
Conclusion
Addressing victims' needs mentioned above is a fundamental goal in criminal justice. In conclusion, the criminal justice should focus on improving the victims’ welfare while helping the
offenders correct their behaviors. In addition, victims seek to recover and avenge the painful ordeal after the criminal incident. Major victim goals are restitution, restoration, and revenge. Hence, identifying these major goals is critical to developing crime intervention efforts.
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References
Courtney, L. & Pelletier, E. (2016, August 5). What do victims want from criminal justice reform? https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/what-do-victims-want-criminal-justice-reform
Delrosario, G. (2010, October 13). NFL Star Warrick Dunn Meets His Moms Killer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqkZQNVhCrA
University of Wisconsin. (n.d.). About Restorative Justice. https://law.wisc.edu/fjr/rjp/justice.html
UNODC. (n.d.). Topic three - The right of victims to an adequate response to their needs. https://www.unodc.org/e4j/zh/crime-prevention-criminal-justice/module-11/key-issues/3-
-the-right-of-victims-to-an-adequate-response-to-their-needs.html
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