Handbook on Justice for Victims

Abstract

The Handbook outlines the basic steps in developing comprehensive assistance services for victims of crime. For example, the first step in the provision of victim services should always be to provide for the physical safety and immediate medical needs of victims. Many victims may also benefit from services such as crisis or long-term counselling, compensation, accompaniment to court and other advocacy services.Certain types of victims may require additional attention that cannot be fully covered in thisHandbook. Additional manuals may be required on how to work with individuals who have suffered particular types of victimization such as child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault or hate crime. Additional manuals may further explore responses to victims of torture or other mass victimization occurring where legal and social systems have collapsed or aresubstantially incapable of fulfilling their functions. Additional manuals may also focus on the work of particular professions. This Handbook has been drafted recognizing that differences arise when its principles are applied in the context of different legal systems, social support structures and life situations. Not everything outlined in the Handbook will necessarily be appropriate or even possible in different situations. The Handbook is not meant to be prescriptive but to serve as a set of examples for jurisdictions to examine and test. The writers are aware of the difficulties faced throughout the world in identifying resources for victim services. Several of the programmes recommended in theHandbook require significant investments of time, personnel and financial resources; in addition, some recommendations may require legislative changes. In many jurisdictions, therefore, the recommendations may appear unrealistic. Nonetheless, these programmes and their underlying principles have been tested in many countries and found to be successful. They can contributeto meeting fundamental victim needs, speeding recovery, restoring community vitality and securing justice. This investment can provide significant short-term and long-term returns. Experts from nearly 40 countries have participated in the development of thisHandbook. The writers represent only some of the many diverse jurisdictions around the world, however, and only some of the professions helping victims. The viewpoints and experience of persons from particular countries may consequentlyreceive perhaps excessive attention. It is hoped that in the months and years to come, practitioners, researchers and policy makers around the world will contribute information about their own experiences and programmes, tailor the information presented in this Handbook to meet their specific needs and legal systems and offer suggestions on how the Handbook can be improved. Its widest possible relevance will be a continuing aim in the quest to alleviate the plight of victims of crime and abuse of power around the world.