1. Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice [E4J]
Justice for Victims
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice [E4J]

2. What is justice for victims
Who are victims of crimes: main theoretical framework
UN 1985 Basic Principles declaration for Victims of Crime and abuse of power
Data collection: administrative data, victim survey and law-case studies
The Principles set out in the Declaration are:
Access to justice and fair treatment
Restitution
Compensation
Assistance

3. Victimology  
criminology
victimology
Criminal victimology

4. Impact of victimization
Material;
Physical;
Mental, psychological, emotional;
Economic;
Spiritual, and religious.

5. How are victims exposed to crime?
When a person is victmizaed in the same way repetedly
Recurring victimization
When a person is victimized more than once in the same way, usually in a short period of time.
Repeat victimization
When a person is victimized again.
Revictimization
Can take place following the crime. Refers to others’ attitudes, beliefs, to blaming of the victim, failure to address victims' needs and insensitive reactions.
Secondary victimization

6. What is a crime related trauma?
A sudden violent event (human caused) being exposed to a violent event (even if not personally involved, but witnessed).
Most common reactions to trauma :
Feeling of fear,
loss of control,
constant feeling of threats of death,
helplessness,
depression
suicidal ideas
attempted or actual suicide

7. How can we explain negative reactions towards victims of crime?
Just World Theory
People view the world as an orderly and predictable place
People get what they deserve
Secondary Victimization
Blame victim’s character/behavior for victimization
Evaluate character of victim in a negative way
Distancing oneself from the victim
Evaluate the victimizing event in a positive way

8. Maslow’ basic human needs
Self
actualization
Self-esteem
Belonging and acceptance
Safety and security
Physiological needs (food, medical assistance)

9. Victims’ needs Support Protection Information Practical needs
Needs for recognition by and in the criminal justice system
Reparation

10. Victims’ rights Right to be heard Right to be informed
Right to be protected
Right to be respected and emotional condition being recognized
Right to receive support
Right to receive compensation
Right to deal with specialized professionals
Right to receive assistance across-borders
Others?

11. Victims’ role in the criminal justice system
Participation at all stages during the criminal justice process: reporting stage, investigations stage, pre-trial stage, trial stage, sentencing stages, stage at which the offender is released
Victim-sensitive measures: interviewing techniques; modified court rooms; video evidence; victims’ advocates; special provisions for vulnerable groups, such as children or vicitms of SGBV crimes; Victim Impact Statements; partie civile (civil party)

12. Victim services Institutional – Governmental Roles and functions.
Non governmental organizations (NGO)
Roles and functions
How should services for victims address victims’ needs?

13. State compensation, reparation, restitution
Compensation can take different forms:
Direct payment, following certain criteria (income, severity of damage, injuries, ability to work)
Direct payment of certain services, like in the case of pro-bono legal assistance where the lawyers will claim to the State their costs;
Indirectly through services and assistance.

14. Contemporary issues affecting Justice for Victims
Challenges and responses to:
transnational organized crime and new forms of crime and
cross-border victimization
The internet and social media
The example of the #MeToo Movement

15. Victims in international criminal justice
The ICC as a victims’ court, with a right to victim participation and reparations
Inspiration for sub-sequent tribunals applying international criminal law
Importance of acknowledgment of the role of victims in the international criminal law context:
making international proceedings meaningful to those most affected

16. More information @DohaDeclaration e4j@unodc.org
unodc.org/dohadeclaration
unodc.org/e4J