Victim Advocate Research Paper

Victims of rape receive support from several government bodies such as sexual assault referral centres (SARC) and there are also Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs). SARC is an organisation that provides services to the victims of rape or sexual assault regardless of whether

Victims, Victimization and Victimology: A Socio-Legal Study Dr. (Mrs.) Ravidankaur R. Karnani Assist. Professor & I/c. Principal, Law College, Palanpur karnani_ravidan@yahoo.com, 7990980278 Abstract For many decades, the victim was the forgotten party in the criminal justice system as the main focus was that the perpetrator of a crime should be punished. But the victims of crimes stand poised equally in the scales of justice as the victim is not a passive object but an active component of the whole judicial process.

Today, every state has an extensive body of basic rights and protections for victims of crime within its statutory code. Victims’ rights statutes have considerably influenced the method in which victims are treated in the federal, state, and local criminal justice systems. The core right of victims of crime includes: The right to attend criminal justice proceedings; the right to apply for compensation; the right to be heard and participate in criminal justice proceedings; the right to be informed of proceedings and events in the criminal justice process, of legal rights and remedies, and of available services; the right to protection from intimidation and harassment; the right to restitution from the offender; the right to prompt return of personal property seized as evidence; the right to a speedy trial; and the right to enforcement of these rights. (Office of Justice

The justice system is constant work in progress as the system must change and evolve to meet the needs, demands and requirements of the times we live in. The justice system and its statutes sometimes struggle to keep up with the ever-changing world; thus making them lag behind. As stated, one of the core functions of the justice system is to provide intervention programs for those individuals who are deemed to be at risk. Intervention programs do exist but still the justice system is overburden with many criminal cases. The inability of justice programs to work as they are intended to is seen as one of the significant problems facing the justice system.

In 1976 Nova was formed and it is the oldest national victim assistance organization and is largely well known within the U.S. This organization is a private, charitable and non- profit organization. Its main function is to have compassion with the victims and be respectful to one another. The Victims’ Rights fought hard to get these rights to become a law. One of the biggest turn around was when President Clinton spoke about it in his speech on June 25th, 1996. Within his speech, he wrote: (Wallace; Roberson 15)

The theories relate to Carla 's case of victimization would be, lifestyle theory posits that individuals place themselves in harm’s way by their lifestyle choices. Carla put herself in harm’s way by jogging at night by herself. Her may have lived a risking lifestyle she clearly liked smoking weed with her boyfriend. Also Deviant place theory would work to because Carla doesn’t live in bad area. The area’s around Carla’s house was safe but Casey lived in a dilapidated apartment complex that was mostly hidden off the main road, between a bar called Bikers-R-Us and a two-story county office complex used by probation officers and drug rehab counselors. That’s where Carla found herself in a bad area, therefore putting herself at risk to become a

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. It is important to report any signs of domestic violence to the proper authorities. Regardless if the individual needs help or not, their lives can be protected and

In the formal criminal justice process, there are important decision makers that decide whether to keep the offender in the system or dismiss the suspect with no future consequences. Suppose a law was set in place

The available services for victims are provided on a case to case basis. Training is also provided for staff members that are handling domestic violence cases and simplify compensation collection or resolution between the lawbreaker and the suspect. In reference to Simpson case, victims’ rights were severely violated. Nicole Simpson was neglected of her victim’s rights; she was not given protection nor a police escort after she filed a complaint of intimate violence. The accused O.J. Simpson should have been given a restraining order to protect Nicole, there were still access to her even after she made a complaint of intimate violence.

At Adult Protective Services majority of our work involves investigation of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. At Adult Protective Services our job is to protect the vulnerable elderly population, as well as the population that have disabilities. “Only APS is statutorily authorized and responsible for investigating elder and vulnerable adult abuse and taking steps to protect the victims, and it is generally only APS that helps the most frail and incapacitated older persons”(Quin, 2012, p.68). When abuse is suspected, a case worker will reach out to all parties involved, such as the alleged victim, alleged perpetrator, and all collaterals. Unlike many other professions, case worker are not required to have any written consent to speak with

At first viewing of the documentary "Gideon's Army.' * you may become overwhelmed by the dire situation of the criminal justice system in the South, specifically with regard to the poorer and less educated population. To observe how stressed the public defenders are, how tapped the resources, and how desperate the defendants, you struggle with the notion that there may not be anything that can be done and it's too big a problem to overcome. But delving into the professional, and, at times, personal life of Travis Williams, a public defender in Georgia, you feel determination and hope. Williams advocates for each client with passion and diligence.

Restorative Justice past practices and activities that are popular within the Restorative justice movement are Prisoner rights and alternatives to prisons, which is a program to change prison condition and minimize incarceration sentencing, Conflict Resolution is a program that creates neighborhood justice centers available to the community. The Victim offender Reconciliation program (VORPs) is a meeting between the victim and the community, Victim-Offender Mediation (VOMS) is mediation between the victim and the offender, Victim Advocacy is the victim rights group which focused on the efforts for restitution for the crime. The family group conferences (FGCs) allow the victim and family and the offenders to meet. The Sentencing Circle includes

Albion operates a 24-hour domestic and sexual violence crisis hotline staffed by trained advocates who provide emotional support, safety planning, and referrals. Through community education outreach, Albion Fellows Bacon Center presents to groups like schools, civic organizations, businesses, and churches. The presentations can be informational regarding the services provided by the agency or more educational in nature. The educational presentations can explain the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault, date rape drugs, teen dating violence, and bystander intervention. While Albion 's legal advocates are not attorneys, they provide emotional support, answer questions about individuals ' rights and options, and help clients navigate the Criminal and Civil Justice

In a country where people are promised equal and fair treatment regardless of their gender or racial identity, Stevenson, through McMillian, shows the gory side of the reality that exists within the United States’ judicial system. A system that offers justice to some and victimizes

Many times with “Stand Your Ground” laws, the end result becomes unfortunate for one side; although, Kirkpatrick had been fortunate enough to see his wife again and to walk away with no injuries. Contrastingly, Trayvon Martin’s family remained in devastation for a long time after his death and nothing could repair the damage done. His family was never going to see him again. Moreover, with the revision of SYG laws the saving and changing of lives will take place for victims, perpetrators, and the families of