Chapter 10

Victims of Crime

Victimology: a branch of criminology that seeks to understand victimization by

considering the victim within a psychological, social, cultural and political context.
 Explores the processes by which a person is deemed to be a victim
 Traditionally, the criminal justice system has subjected the victim to
secondary victimization by treating them as mere witnesses to a crime and
neglecting their experience of loss and suffering

Victimization: defined as "an illegitimate violation of a person by another, resulting

in an experience of loss as recognized by moral authority"
 Simply stated, a victim must not only be subject to unwanted injury or loss,
they must feel the consequences of crime and must be deemed to be a
victim by social, legal and cultural standards

Three components to consider when determining whether an individual is a victim

of crime include

1. "balance of power",
2. "rules of interaction"
3. "legitimacy of authority"

Within the past twenty years there has been a growing concern within the criminal
justice system and society in general to recognize the needs of victims. Researchers
have also been exploring the victim's role in crime causation theories

 Marvin Wolfgang conducted research in the 1950s in Philadelphia into the

role a person plays in precipitating his or her own victimization. He termed
this victim-precipitated crime.
Hans Von Hentig (agent provocateur) crime provocating
 Benjamin Mendelsohn (father of Victimology)
 Menahem Amir (1971) 19% rapes are precipitated by victims
 Sara Maragray Fry ( 1963) first compensation scheme in Newzeland
 Marlene- young Rifai 1982
 First victomology international conference in 1975 in Bellagio Italy

A Profile of Criminal Victimization in Canada

There has been a growing victim's rights movement and an increase in the use of
victimization surveys in Canada

Victimization surveys include the Canadian

1. Urban Victimization Survey (CUVS),
2. General Social Survey (GSS)
 3. Violence against Women Survey (VAW)

 Data gleaned from these surveys generally reveal that many crimes are not
reported to the police, the age group most likely to be a victim of crime is 15-
24.
 Aboriginals are three times more likely to report violent victimization
 The vast majority of Canadians (94%) feel safe from crime

Victim Assistance Programs in Canada

There are two contemporary approaches designed to assist victims of crime.
1. restorative justice measures
2. victimcentered measures.

Specific programs designed to assist victims of crime include

1. community justice forums,
2. victim-offender reconciliation,
3. family group conferences
4. justice circles

Victim impact statement (VIS) allows victim or family of the victim to inform the
court of emotional and financial consequences of the act of victimization.
 The majority of victims who completed statements have greater satisfaction
with the system.
 However, there is debate about the use of VIS in courtrooms
 Help in rehabilitation by reducing victim feeling of helplessness and
alienation
 Therapeutic values to victim
 Greatest benefit is psychological recovery

Restitution is a court order that directs an offender to pay a victim of crime for
financial loss or injury. In default of payment a civil court process may be instigated
and the sheriffs can take action on behalf of the victim

Compensation: comprises direct payment to the victim to cover financial losses

resulting from injuries or death suffered as a result of criminal act
 Criminal Injuries Compensation Boards (CICBs) operate across Canada with
the exception of Prince Edward Island.
o CICBs direct compensation to victims who have suffered financially,
emotionally or physically as a result of a criminal act

Police agencies and the courts are required to provide specific victim services to
assist victims of crime

The courts are responsible for the

1. Victim Witness Assistance Programs (VWAPs)
2. Victim crisis and referral service (VCARS)
Voluntary organizations such as the defunct
1. Canadians against violence everywhere advocating for its termination
(CAVEAT)
2. Victims of Violence (VOV)
Provide valuable support for victims

Current legislation

Bill C-89 created provisions in the criminal code for victims to receive restitution
and to be given the opportunity to complete victim impact statements

1. Victim Fine Surcharge is imposed in court in addition to an offender's

sentence. The surcharge is 15% of any fine or $35.00 is revenue used to
assist victims of crime
2. Sexual assault crisis centre SAC
3. Victim Support Line VSL

Restorative Justice
Victim-offender reconciliation programs (VORPs) have been successful in bringing
the wishes of victim into the inner circle of justice delivery