CRJ 615 - Assignment 3

CRJ 615 - Assignment 3 Holistic Victim Restitution Plan Outline Terrence Jones Ashford University CRJ 615: Victimology Instructor: Brett Bauman August 4, 2020   Holistic Victim Restitution Plan Outline Introduction The intimate partner abuse and the residual effects of victimization can be persecuted using restorative justice. In this process, the victim and the perpetrator meet in person to discuss the consequences of the committed crime and to develop a restitution plan. Restitution is an “activity of restoration of anything to its rightful owner” (Doerner & Lab, 2012). This paper aims to provide an outline for a holistic victim restitution plan. The paper focuses on the ways to address victim needs, the rise of victimology, the evaluation of empirical data regarding crime victims, the discussion on the victim’s contribution to crime, a critique on the response of the criminal justice system’s to victimization, and a holistic plan for victim restitution. Thesis Statement Restorative justice for intimate partner abuse and residual effects of victimization is an efficient replacement for prosecution. Ways to address the need of Victims Victims need enough time and support to overcome the experienced trauma. The ways in which victim needs can be addressed include providing safety to the victim, providing access to the justice system process along with necessary information, providing continuous support, and freedom of speech. The victims “should get protection from perpetrators and re-victimization” (Wolhuter, Obey, and Denham (2009). The “victim should have the ability to participate in the justice system proceedings and obtain information and services, regardless of personage or family conditions” (Wolhuter, Obey & Denham, 2009). The victim must also have provision to information of the justice system processes as oral and written summaries. The victim must be provided with provisions of support, i.e., access to services for healing the traumatic experience, and harm caused during the same. The support must be consistent and continued throughout the justice system process to ensure complete trauma recovery. The victim must be encouraged to use their freedom of speech during the justice system process. Rise of victimology (Past and Present) From the time humanity has existed, victimology was existing. Nevertheless, only after the Second World War did scientists started studying victims and the crimes committed by them. “Early victimological notions were not developed by criminologists or sociologists, but rather by poets, writers, and novelists” (Fattah, E. 2000). However, at present, victimology is consolidated and scientific. It depends on collecting data and theorization and is founded on new legislation. Since 1980, every state of America had acknowledged the fundamental rights of victims. The laws were related to keeping the victim updated on the justice system process, and the recovery and protection of the victim from harassment or intimidation (Karmen, A. 2012). Evaluation of empirical data regarding crime victims “One of the basic roles of theoretical victimology is to collect empirical data on crime victims” (Wallace & Roberson, 2011). The primary method utilized for collecting data is the National Criminal Victimization Survey. “National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is an annual data collection designed to gather information about nonfatal personal crimes and household property crimes in the United States” (Lauritsen, J. L., & Rezey, M. L. 2013). Victim’s contribution to crime Victims may play a functional or motivational role in the crime. Research suggests that “many crime victims contribute to crime through their own, carelessness, recklessness or imprudence” (Wallace & Roberson, 2011). Critique for the criminal justice system’s response to victimization Research studies, mainly on victims of sexual assaults, suggest that the response to victimization consists of several loopholes. During the justice system process, the victims repeatedly relive their traumatic experience, which is termed as “secondary victimization.” Another limitation is that the system does not take into consideration “marital rape.” Holistic plan for victim restitution A restorative justice program will be a holistic plan for victim restitution. The restorative justice plan will help the victim in prosecuting the accuser for their crime by reporting the same to law enforcement. Also, other rehabilitation services like continuous counseling and support, along with information on the hearing date and the release date of the offender, are provided to the victim. Conclusion The intimate partner abuse and the residual effects of victimization can be persecuted using restorative justice. The restorative justice process will allow the victim with safety, freedom of speech, and rehabilitation services. The holistic plan for the victim helps them to deal with the horrific experience and overcome the trauma.   References Doerner, G.W & Lab, P. S. (2012). Victimology. Burlington: Anderson Publishing. Fattah, E. (2000). Victimology: Past, present, and future. Criminologie, 33(1), 17-46. Karmen, A. (2012). Crime victims: An introduction to victimology. Cengage Learning. Lauritsen, J. L., & Rezey, M. L. (2013). Measuring the prevalence of crime with the national crime victimization survey. Washington, DC: US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Wallace, H. & Roberson, C. (2011). Victimology Legal, Psychological and Social Perspectives. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. Wolhuter, L. Obey, N. & Denham, D. (2009). Victimology: Victimization and Victim Rights London: Routledge.