Then, I will state how the public services and third sector organisation support the victims and witnesses. Furthermore, I will then analyze the strategies/approaches that I have stated from above and will give examples to each different approach of different public services. Last but not least, I will evaluate local public service initiative. The impact of crime has a high cost on society. (Gray) When a crime has occurred its important to deal with it, to reduce the number of offences committed in society/ community.
The police are there to help by phone, internet or in person. They are there to solve crimes, help the public, and maintain safety and security. The police also have to help individuals within, for example if a person is fearful for their safety, then the police would investigate the matter and reassure them, or if a person has gone missing then the police would do anything in their power to find the missing person. The police are a statutory service because it entitles them in their duties to maintain the safety of the public; they also help to form better communities. The police are required to protect and serve in any dangerous situations and as much as possible.
173 Reflective Journal. Week 1: Aims of the criminal Justice system This week was essentially an introductory topic and provided me with a basic understanding of the aims and operations of the criminal justice system. I learned that there is a number of different steps within the criminal justice system and the involvement of all the parties involved such as police, judge and jury and the defence. According to John Champion the main purpose of the criminal justice system is to process and prosecute individuals who commit crimes against society and to deal out suitable punishments for these individuals. This is a pivotal part in terms of maintain the functioning of society and to ensure that people don’t go around breaking laws wherever and whenever they want.
Moreover, she explained how in order to change the issues occurring such as; battered women, rape, Abortion Rights, and many other issues had to be put in front of the courts in order to save a life. He went on how policing is important because it helps solve such issues and if policing is used then such issues will be noticed. So, politicalizing movements is a platform for such victims to get justice and be helped through their time of crisis by organizing such shelters or
In a trial you deal with the facts of the case. The victim-impact statement will add the human element relevant to the crime. It will let me focus on the monetary cost of the crime. I will consider the suffering, social, physical, and psychological damage the victim has incurred. If the financial cost was not revealed in the trial, I will also have that information.
Punishing and following up with rehabilitation through community supervision can help prevent crime. Punishment and community supervision should be based on the type of crime. If the appropriate sentence is issued upon a minor, it can help prevent them from future criminal activity. Each act of violent crime is different and every minor has a different back story. Once the crime is committed, the next step should be having a social worker and therapist speak with the minor.
Victims can also play an indirect role in a criminal incident, such as when a woman adopts a lifestyle that continually brings her into high-crime areas (Siegel 2011). The discovery that victims play an important role in the crime process has prompted the scientific study of victims, or victimology. Criminologists who focus their attention on crime victims refer to themselves as victimologists(Siegel 2011). Victimization’s Toll on Society The costs of victimization can include such things as damaged property, pain and suffering to victims, and the involvement of the police and other agencies of the justice system. The pain and suffering inflicted on an individual can result in the need for medical care, the loss of wages from not being able to go to work, and reduced quality of life from debilitating injuries and /or fear of being victimized again, which can result in not being able to go to work, long term medical care, and counseling.
Holmes & Holmes (2009, p290) stated “To appraise a crime without some knowledge of the victim is certainly remiss.” The victim constitutes half of the crime therefore victimology should be heavily looked at in order to connect them to the offender (Douglas, Burgess, Burgess, & Ressler, 1992).Victimology is important to an investigation process in that, it is not just learning about the victim’s personal history and personality, but it also why the victim was chosen (Petherick, 2010). Holmes and Holmes (2009,p 291) created a list of elements which should be important to victim profiling it includes: "Physical traits, marital status, personal lifestyle, occupation, education, personal demographics, medical history, psychosexual history, court history, and last activities." A victim’s lifestyle, preferences, family, relationships, and routines, can give investigators clues about potential suspects who had access to the victim (Brown & Davenport, 2012). Other concepts that should be considered when victim profiling are the method of approach, method of attack and risk assessment (Turvey, 1999). Con, surprise, and blitz are three methods of approach that an offender will use to capture his victim.
Every criminal case will inspire people to be dedicated to a certain emotion, depending on the situation of the accused and our personal bias’ towards them and their circumstances. As Nicholas Cowdery, former NSW DPP, said, “Justice is like beauty, it is very much in the eyes of the beholder”, meaning that every person will have an opinion on what justice should be. Communities as a whole are interested in the protection of themselves and other members of the same community, ensuring that they are safe at all times. When there is a criminal amongst a community that threatens this safety, people will lean towards the idea of revenge or just deserts. This means they feel that perpetrators should be punished for what they have done, despite other factors that the defence may use to excuse their behaviour.
1.2VICTIM EMPOWERMENT – the process by which each individual who has suffered harm or violence is helped to deal with their grief and resentment enabling them to become more positive, proative members of society. It provides communities with skill and self control, support and tools necessary to become more effective advocates for the rights and needs of victims in light of historic discrimination. 2. INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON VICTIM EMPOWERMENT & SUPPORT The declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for victims of crime and abuse is based on philosophy that victims should be recognised and treated with respect and dignity. Victims are entitled to access to mechanisms of justice and prompt redress for harm suffered They are also entitled to receiving adequate specialised assistance in dealing with emotional trauma caused by vitimisation. The Bill of Rights prescribes the right to every person to equality and freedom and security The Victim Empowerment Programme focusses on promotion a victim-centered approach to crime