Criminology

Victims of crime are commonly known as the person(s) affected by the doings of a criminal perpetrator directly or indirectly. Although the definition of crime is legally constructed in our day to day life, this essay will explore on the definition of crime from a socio-legal construct, thus highlighting both the effects of both legal and non-legally regarded criminal acts. The scope of this essay will focus on the needs of victims of crime such as crisis intervention, rehabilitation, legal rights, post-crisis intervention assistance measures such as courtroom assistance. The adequacy of the measures implemented will be contested and the compromise of defendant, prosecution and witness rights will be highlighted. Other than that, this essay seeks to relate victim rights and welfare to the basic objectives of truth finding within the judicial systems and showcase the contradiction and compromise between the needs of victim and the neutrality of the judiciary. Lastly, the essay will critique on the state’s measures in giving more voice and assistance to the victims as a matter of equal needs. For the purpose of this essay, reference will be made to the US, English and German and Singapore judicial systems. However, it is limited to highlighting inadequacy in victim’s needs in general and not through comparative scrutiny within different judicial systems such as inquisitorial and adversarial systems.
The concept of ‘victim’ as inferred by Rock (2004) does not form a clear definition with vague, defining statements. Taking the example of burglary victim, Rock (2004) associates it with what is normally expected of a victim such as sense of defilement, constant fear of crime and mistrust. In the case of Milton Brown’s rape case (Rock, 20...

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...he amount compensated should be determined fairly considering both victim and offender.
Striving to reduce incarceration (Walther, 2006), restorative justice, apart from other measures such as paroles and community services have been implemented. Although restorative justice allows reparation and closure on part of victims, Sanders (2002) questioned whose purpose it serves. He argued that victims should be allowed to see prosecution papers and officials have the responsibility to bring the victim through the judicial processes, even to allow victims participation in parole decisions. In reaffirming such concerns, Rock (2004) opined that restorative justice might only serve as a tool to punish offenders and reduce re-offending through emotional confrontation, depriving the victim of their desires for explanations and offender’s sincere acceptance of responsibility.