This book examines the international, regional and domestic human rights frameworks that establish victim rights as a central force in law and policy in the twenty-first century. Accessing substantial source material that sets out a normative framework of victim rights, this work argues that despite degrees of convergence, victim rights are interpreted on the domestic level, in accordance with the localised interests of victims and individual states. The transition of the victim from peripheral to central stakeholder of justice is demonstrated across various adversarial, inquisitorial and hybrid systems in an international context. Examining the standing of victims globally, this book provides a comparative analysis of the role of the victim in the International Criminal Court, the ad hoc tribunals leading to the development of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, together with the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia, Special Panels of East Timor (Timor Leste), and the Internationalised Panels in Kosovo. The instruments of the European Parliament and Council of Europe, with the rulings of the European Court of Justice, and the European Court of Human Rights, interpreting the European Convention of Human Rights, are examined. These instruments are further contextualised on the local, domestic level of the inquisitorial systems of Germany and France, and mixed systems of Sweden, Austria and the Netherlands, together with common law systems including, England and Wales, Ireland, Scotland, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and the hybrid systems of Japan and Brazil. This book organises the authoritative instruments while advancing debate over the positioning of the victim in law and policy, as influenced by global trends in criminal justice, and will be of great interest to scholars of international law, criminal law, victimology and socio-legal studies.

This new textbook examines the theoretical arguments surrounding victims before examining who the victims of crime actually are and the measures taken by the criminal justice system in order to enhance their position. Particular attention is paid to women, homosexuals, ethnic minorities and the elderly as victims and students are introduced to alternative models of victim participation in criminal proceedings within other European jurisdictions providing an enlightening comparative analysis.

Prior to the emergence of a victims' movement in this country in the 1970s, crime victims had only limited formal rights and remedies in the modern American criminal justice system. With the active encouragement of those involved in the victims' movement and guidance supplied by a national Task Force on Victims of Crime, convened by President Reagan in 1982, federal and state authorization of crime victim rights and remedies has increased exponentially in the subsequent years. In fact, it has been estimated that there are currently tens of thousands of statutes that directly or indirectly affect crime victim rights and interests, as well as crime victim-related constitutional provisions in a majority of states. The authors describe the constitutional and legislative provisions addressing the principal crime victim rights and remedies and leading judicial opinions that have interpreted them. In addition to presenting the current state of the law in this area, the text describes the status of implementation of these rights and remedies, relevant empirical research, and a sampling of pertinent policy analysis. This comprehensive portrait of the past and current status of crime victim rights and remedies in this country will inform the continued evolution of law and practice in this area. The third edition of Crime Victim Rights and Remedies continues to address the evolution of key crime victim rights (e.g., the rights to notice of and to be present and heard at criminal justice proceedings) and includes the state constitutional amendments, legislation, court decisions, and empirical studies completed since the second edition in 2010. Of particular note is an expanded federal section regarding each right and remedy in the federal Crime Victims' Rights Act, enacted in 2004, and court decisions that have interpreted the Act in its initial decade of implementation. The third edition also adds a new chapter concerning crime victim rights and remedies in the United States armed services and internationally.

How should the needs of those injured in the 7/7 terrorist attacks be met by the criminal justice system? Have the rights of victims been neglected in order to ensure that a defendant is brought to 'justice'? Who are the victims of crime and why are they targeted? This new textbook examines the theoretical arguments surrounding victims before examining who the victims of crime actually are and the measures taken by the criminal justice system in order to enhance their position. Particular attention is paid to women, homosexuals, ethnic minorities and the elderly as victims and students are introduced to alternative models of victim participation in criminal proceedings within other European jurisdictions providing an enlightening comparative analysis. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach which encompasses law, sociology and social policy, this textbook is ideal for undergraduates taking an option in victimology, race and crime, or domestic violence whatever their disciplinary background.

Essentials of Victimology is an engaging new textbook for anyone seeking to gain a fundamental understanding of the field. Renowned author Jan Yager provides an awareness of the evolution of the discipline of victimology, as well as an understanding of the early and current theories, and a discussion of key concepts. The text includes practical, up-to-date chapters on victims and their interactions with the criminal justice system and on the medical and legal help available to victims. In addition, the major violent, property, and white-collar or economic crimes are explored in separate chapters. Throughout the book, the author utilizes examples and in-depth profiles to emphasize the real-life impact of crime on its victims. This well-structured text is designed with the student in mind, offering clear learning objectives, an overview of key terms and concepts, and effective end-of-chapter questions to reinforce the material. Based on the research, teaching, writing, and victim advocacy of accomplished author Jan Yager, Essentials of Victimology brings a modern and comprehensive perspective to this important field. Professors and student will benefit from: Multidisciplined approach that draws from not only sociology, criminology, and victimology but also anthropology, history, law, psychology, psychiatry, social work, medicine, nursing, and communication studies for insights and answers. Engaging presentation that brings the material to life. Numerous first-person interviews with crime victims or experts Clear explanations of the basic concepts accompanied by thoughtful discussions of cutting-edge issues Separate chapters on Child Victims and Teen victims, exploring topics not covered in other texts such as sibling sexual abuse Unique chapter on Victims of the Criminal Justice System (Chapter 14).

Justice for Victims brings together the world’s leading scholars in the fields of study surrounding victimization in a pioneering international collection. This book focuses on the current study of victims of crime, combining both legal and social-scientific perspectives, articulating both in new directions and questioning whether victims really do have more rights in our modern world. This book offers an interdisciplinary approach, covering large-scale (political) victimization, terrorist victimization, sexual victimization and routine victimization. Split into three sections, this book provides in-depth coverage of: victims' rights, transitional justice and victims' perspectives, and trauma, resilience and justice. Victims' rights are conceptualised in the human rights framework and discussed in relation to supranational, international and regional policies. The transitional justice section covers victims of war from those caught between peace and justice, as well as post-conflict justice. The final section focuses on post-traumatic stress, connecting psychological and anthropological perceptions in analysing collective violence, mass victimization and trauma. This book addresses challenging and new issues in the field of victimology and the study of transitional and restorative justice. As such, it will be of interest to researchers, practitioners and students interested in the fields of victimology, transitional justice, restorative justice and trauma work.

Towards a Critical Victimology offers a serious challenge to the law and order perspective on victims' rights and the false contest that is usually created between those rights and the rights of offenders. It sheds light on the way victim initiatives emerged, the timing of those initiatives, their seemingly ulterior motives, and the political interests they are meant to serve.