Victimology: Impact and Needs of Victims

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the core needs of crime victims?

Right to punishment of the offender

Right to anonymity

Right to assistance (correct)

Right to immediate trial

Which of the following represents a significant financial impact of crime on victims?

$83 billion in overall losses

$14 billion in tangible costs (correct)

$30 billion in property damage

$50 billion in emotional distress

What right ensures that crime victims can report their experience without threat from the accused?

Right to assistance

Right to information

Right to representation

Right to protection from the accused (correct)

What was the primary focus of victimology's pioneering efforts in the 1960s?

Addressing the needs of forgotten victims Signup and view all the answers

How much was estimated in pain and suffering costs for victims in 2008?

$65 billion Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the rights that ensures victims are informed about criminal justice processes?

Right to information Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following summarizes a financial recovery right for crime victims?

Right to restitution from the offender Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element that affects the implementation of victim rights?

Right to effective public policies Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of the harm suffered by victims of crime?

Loss of personal property Signup and view all the answers

How does the traditional criminal justice system (CJS) in Canada view the role of victims?

As complainants and witnesses only Signup and view all the answers

What is one way for police to adequately meet the needs of victims?

Providing specific support for victims of gender-related crimes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods helps repair damage to victims?

Restitution from the offender Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential component of system-wide strategies to stop violence?

Addressing the root causes of victimization Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects a shift towards respecting victims' human rights in the justice system?

Incorporating international standards for victim rights Signup and view all the answers

Which method is NOT commonly used to address victims' needs?

Incarceration without parole Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of repeat victimization?

Higher psychological trauma Signup and view all the answers

What is one way victims can obtain reparation for their losses?

Participation in restorative justice Signup and view all the answers

In which country do victims have legal standing in the courtroom?

France Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a potential source of reparation for victims?

Compensation from celebrity endorsements Signup and view all the answers

What shift in resources is suggested to effectively address crime victimization?

Shifting towards preemptive strategies Signup and view all the answers

What is a victim's typical role in criminal court in Canada?

To provide evidence and a victim impact statement Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant recommendation of the 1983 federal/provincial task force in Canada regarding victims?

Hold trials within a reasonable time Signup and view all the answers

What issue has hindered the advancement of victims' human rights in Canada?

Legal bureaucracy committed to the status quo Signup and view all the answers

What is an important focus of successful crime prevention models?

Reducing risks to potential victims Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the role of model legislation regarding crime victims?

It provides support, justice, and good government policies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was introduced by Manitoba in 1986 to support victims of crime?

Victim fine surcharge Signup and view all the answers

What kind of programs address the criminogenic risk factors of youth?

Crime prevention programs Signup and view all the answers

What was a limitation of the 1988 agreement between federal and provincial governments regarding victims' rights?

It lacked a center of responsibility for action Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main tensions regarding the rights of crime victims in Canada?

Balancing offender rights with victim needs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following recommendations was aimed at providing victims with better information?

Provide victim impact statements Signup and view all the answers

What gap exists between legal training and practical victim-related research in Canada?

Legal training has not kept up with developments in social science research Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a recommendation from the 1983 federal/provincial task force?

Ensure legal representation for all offenders Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant reason cited for victims not reporting crimes to the police in Canada?

The belief that the police cannot solve the crime Signup and view all the answers

How do compensation payments in the United Kingdom, United States, and Quebec compare to those in the rest of Canada?

They are more consistent and larger Signup and view all the answers

What has been identified as lacking in Canadian police forces regarding victim services?

Protocols for respecting victims' rights Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'S' in the 21st Century Strategy for victim services stand for?

Support for victims Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a component of the 21st Century Strategy developed for victim services?

Access to sufficient funds Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of women who are victims of sexual assault typically report their victimization to the police?

Less than 25% Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 're-victimization' refer to in the context of victim services?

Victims being victimized again by the system Signup and view all the answers

What has been noted about the variability of crime victim services units in Canada?

There is great variability and lack of systematic data Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction

Focuses on the prevalence, impact, and needs of victims, the origins of victimology and international standards, policing, victim services and compensation, courts and restitution, and how to rebalance the justice system to respect victims’ human rights

Impact of Victimization

Victims of crime suffer significant financial losses, physical injuries, and emotional pain and trauma
Harms extend to family, friends, etc.
In 2008, the total cost of crime to victims was 83billion,with83 billion, with 83billion,with14 billion in tangible costs and $65 billion in pain and suffering

Needs of Crime Victims

Victims have eight core needs: the right to recognition, information, assistance, reparation, protection, participation and representation in the CJS, effective public policies to reduce victimization, and implementation
Right to information includes details about reparation, services, and criminal justice processes
Victims should have access to assistance for financial recovery, including restitution and compensation
Victims have the right to be protected from the accused
Victims should also have the right to participation and representation in the justice process
Effective public policies are needed to reduce victimization

The Origins of Victimology and International Standards

1960s: Pioneering efforts centered around concern for victims
1983: Federal/provincial task force recommendations to Canadianize a UN resolution
Recommendations included data gathering, information for victims, provision of services, protection of victims from intimidation, restitution, compensation, and property return.

Tensions between Traditional and Human Rights for Victims

Traditional CJS limitations impede the human rights of victims
Resistance is a barrier to changes for victims
Legal bureaucracy is committed to the status quo, and legal training has not kept up with social science research
Victims in Canada often do not report crime to the police

Victim Services and the Police

Police forces have not focused on victim services
Lack of protocols on how law enforcement should respect victims’ rights and respond to their needs
Crime victim services units have been set up, but there is no systematic data on how many are serviced and how effectively
Police have not improved their response to female victims of sexual assault
Police prioritize safety, support, information, and access for victims.

Restitution from the Offender, Compensation from the State, and Civil Remedies

Victims often incur direct financial loss, costs of services, and loss of quality of life
Several ways to obtain reparation: restitution, civil suits, restorative justice, and compensation

Human Rights for Victims in Criminal Courts

Victims are often limited to providing evidence and victim impact statements in Canada
Other jurisdictions offer more scope for victim participation and representation
France provides legal standing for victims in the courtroom with legal representation
This enables victims to defend their interests, voice concerns regarding safety, and push for thorough investigation

Stopping Violence Against Victims and Repeat Victimization

Preventing crime and providing services and rights for victims of crime reduces victimization and harms
Programs address criminogenic risk factors in children and youth
Programs focus on reducing the risk to potential victims.

Systemic Ways to Shift, Reinvest, and Rebalance Justice for Crime Victims

Model legislation supports victims with recognition, information, assistance, reparation, protection, participation, representation, and good government
Victim services, rights, and justice need to be prioritized by allocating appropriate resources

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Description

This quiz explores the origins and significance of victimology, focusing on the impact of crime on victims and their essential needs. It covers the economic and emotional consequences of victimization, the rights of victims in the criminal justice system, and the support mechanisms available to them. Test your knowledge on how to improve victim support and enhance justice for all.