An Overview Of Victim Support Criminology Essay

An Overview Of Victim provide Criminology EssayVictim Support is the oldest victim organisation with more than 35 years of experience and also the largest worldwide. on that point three aims atomic number 18 b atomic number 18ly to support, benefactor cope with crime and give any sort of hireing to victims (Marshall, 1999). They deport more charity and witness service companies within them. There be some(prenominal) ways in which these course of studymes process. It eject be a victim-off give the sacker mediation process, in which the mediators discuss the crime, the aftermath and the next steps towards devising things right. Conferencing inviteing is the same as the victim- wrongdoer mediation except that this meeting involves the family members and federation representatives as well. Victim- wrongdoer panels nominate localize with some an other(a)(prenominal)wise victims and offenders with similar crime situations and the victim assistance support victims as they go through the criminal evaluator process and help them recover (Marshall, 1999).National Association of the Care and resettlement of Offenders (NACRO) is one of the most growing charities in the United Kingdom. NACRO trains up to 10,000 learners, helps almost 20,000 people who call to enquire, assist 10,000 prisoners and work with 11,000 young people. They progress to astir(predicate) 1000 programmes which work with youths, present and ex-offenders, homeless people and many other disadvantaged groups. NACROs vision is a safer society where everyone belongs, human rights are prize and preventing crime means tackling social exclusion and re-integrating those who offend (NACRO, 1997). This charity program helps find positive alternatives to crime and visit crime by changing lives. As well as these processes there are many other processes of reviving jurist. All provide opportunities for the parties to meet, discuss what happened, the impact it had and what should take f amily in the future. A mediator prepares the meetings and helps twain parties communicate with one a nonher, tho the end solution is made by them only. All of these supporting mediations end with an agreement on how the offender result crystalize amends for the suffering they have caused by the crime (Marshall, 1999). In this process, four graphic symbols of reparation are agreed upon. They are apology, restitution, changed behaviour and generosity. Apologies can be verbal or written. Acknowledgment, affect and vulnerability are three master(prenominal) parts which take place while apologising. The offending acknowledges the fact that he has kick inted a crime and takes responsibility for it. He also needfully to accept he has caused harm to the victim and that the certain individual did non deserve to be hurt (Marshall, 1999). The offender expresses his deep spirits through words or trunk language and only when he feels regret or guilt will this process be effective. If the offender does feel regret, this could possibly even up and make a victim feel like a whole mod person. This is not always possible as the offender may not be able to communicate properly even if they are feeling responsible for what has taken place (Marshall, 1999). Finally, vulnerability is in relation with both the offender and victim. The offender commits a crime because he or she has a control over the victim, but when apologising the control gets passes on to the victim. The victim has a choice to whether or not to accept the apology. Before the offender apologises, they have no idea what action the victim will take, so the offender apologizes and gives the power and control to the victim. Apology is one of the four types of reparation. The second type is restitution. Restitution is a sum of money or any other type of compensation for the prostitute that has been caused by the crime (Marshall, 1999). This can repair the victims damage and can be a method of holding the offender liable for the offence they have done. This is not only ordered by restorative jurist mediators but also can be disposed(p) by a judge. Another way to make an amendment for the harm they have caused it to show their behaviour will change and they will not commit crimes. Some of the things which are negotiated are the change of environment, peers, and some meters even schools. They learn new behaviours by using distinct types of programmes much(prenominal) as anger management classes, educational or drug-treatment programmes. Follow up meetings are plan to see the progress of change. Generosity is the last type of reparation where an offender can choose to agree upon. Its a way of showing they are deeply sorry. They agree to familiarity service of any type elect by the victim (Marshall, 1999).Theories of quinine water JusticeThere have been many criminological theories that have tried to connect with restorative judge. In 1985, Howard Zehr was the firstborn writer to combine a speculation with restorative jurist in his book Changing Lenses (Zehr, 1990). He talked approximately all the advantages victims could receive by this arbitrator schema and also what offenders can achieve by accept responsibility. There were many limitations of this theory as it spoke much about the private problems of the victims and offenders. Nonetheless, Zehrs work was very influential many other theorists took his ideas and expanded. The main theory which had an impact on restorative referee was Re-integrating Shaming Theory. According to seat Braithwaite, this theory summarises Crimes best controlled when members of the community are the primary controllers through progressive participation in shaming offenders, and, having shamed them, through concerted participation in ways of reintegrating the offender arse into the community of righteousness abiding citizens. minuscule crime societies are societies where communities prefer to handle their own crime p roblems quite than hand them over to professionals (Braithwaite, 1989). Braithwaite believes shame and punishment can be principally achieved from the family. Family life helps us maintain relationships and teaches us to respect everyone. According to Bazemore (2007) re-integrative shaming theory does not include victim interests and scantilyices issues which are the main components of restorative legal expert as a whole. Another theory which was linked to restorative justice was Matzas theory of neutralisation is (Mackay, 1998 cited in Newburn). Matza believes that one of the main reasons why offenders unplowed on re-offending was due to the positive image they had about what they did. Their actions need to be dismissed and told what is right and wrong. umteen offenders responses are he deserved it, they can afford it, or they asked for it. Meeting with the victim makes it hard for the offender and makes them fancy the harm they have caused but Marshall argues that no other c riminological or justice theory can be held to underpin revitalizing Justice (Marshall cited in Newburn, 2009) but some theories can associate with the different steps of Restorative Justice.Restorative Justice vs. Criminal JusticeRestorative Justice differs from the contemporary criminal justice administration in several(prenominal) ways. The key characteristics of a retributive justice are that it views the offence against the state, keeps the victim and offender separate, accepting responsibility is not pushed, the harm caused by the offender is given back to him as revenge, focuses more on offender and victims being ignored offender has no say in decision, offenders relationship with community are weak, the relationship between the offender and victim are not focused on, and forgiveness is not mentioned (Leung, 1999). The outcome of this is a win-lose situation, it does not head much to our criminal justice clay. For a short period of season, it energy satisfy some purpos es of sentencing. It does not pay much attention to reparation, replenishment is left as a last option, clearly shows it has not helped recoil crime by sending the offenders to prison, but the criminal justice system has fulfilled cardinal purposes, which is punishing the offender itself, and defend the creation for the time being. On the other hand, the key characteristics of a restorative justice are that it views the offence against the victim and community victims are allowed to speak up and meet the offender, encouraging responsibility, the victims needs are most essential, offender is asked to solve the problem, focuses on re-integration, and forgiveness is encouraged (Leung, 1999). At the end there is win-win result.Restitution assigns a value to the material losses suffered by the victim and requires that the wrongdoer remainder the scale by paying that amount to the sufferer. Restoration, on the other hand, looks beyond the material harm to non-material disruptions, su ch as the loss of a maven of security or the loss of trust (Leung, 1999). Also, restitution thinks about the damage done to the victim but does not give them a occur to say how they feel by this situation. In contrast, restorative justice tries to assume the needs of the not only the victim, but also the offender, family members, the community, and others affected by the offence (Leung, 1999). Overall, restorative justice goes beyond the fact that a law was broken, and distinguishes the harm caused by offenders to victims and communities. Giving the situation into the government does not help in any way, all parties related to the crime needed to be included as well. Both systems measure success differently. One measures it by how much punishment is given to the offender and the other measure it by how much harm is fixed.Criticisms and Limitations of Restorative JusticeNothing is perfect, everyone has flaws and weaknesses. One of the major(ip) drawbacks of restorative justice is that the system mainly relies on the co-operation of the three parties. If any of them, do not co-operate the aim of this system cannot be achieved. Due to this, the system can be a complete failure. Another limitation which takes place is that is seems to only be applicable to minor offences. Allison Morris lists three criticisms of restorative justice (Morris cited in Newburn, 2009). She believes that restorative justice erodes legal rights as in helplessness to protect the offenders rights. The second criticism, not only Morris but many other major critics believe that restorative justice does not succeed in making a real change and reducing crime. Thirdly and lastly, restorative justice can cause discrimination issues while the process is fetching place but this mainly depends on the location. Not only Morris but many other people have criticised restorative justice. Some other limitations which have been identified are that there is no agreed definition, a sincere apology fr om an offender is hard to achieve, and restorative justice sometimes lives in a dreamland, it assumes that the victim can openly speak to the offender in a kind manner. This can weaken the process majorly. Many theorists believe both systems should combine their aims and ideas together, so our criminal justice system can perform better and satisfy the purposes of sentencing.ConclusionPunishment as imprisonment should be used only for dangerous offenders. This will not only make it easier for the government, but also reduce the cost and time put into prisons, which can be useful for other developments for offenders and victims. The public is not fully satisfied with the criminal justice system, it seems as they have failed in achieving the goals of fairness between the offender and victim and also by protecting the public. Restorative justice pays attention to victims needs. It ensures the victim questions have been answered and they feel gayly desex. Restorative justice help offen ders take responsibility and make them realise the harm they have caused. Offenders are forced to feel guilt and shame, because this prevents them from committing future crime. By this the community accepts the offender back and helps him/her reintegrate back into society. This process can take place in many settings such as conferencing circles or offender-victim meetings. Every person harmed by a booking should have the opportunity to resolve it through a restorative justice (Restorative Justice Consortium, 2002). Restorative justice is not perfect but it does abide a positive approach to this world which our current criminal justice system does not. It has shown to reduce crimes within youths in schools and even adults with domestic furiousness and stealing problems. Many countries have taken this seriously and amended many laws. Restorative justice assures to better social justice to victims, a secure community to all and to reform the offender which will help reduce the nu mber of future crimes. Punishment of offender, the reduction of crime, rehabilitation of offenders, the protection of the public and reparation by offenders are the five main purposes of sentencing. Restorative justice argues they can satisfy these purposes, but for this to be proven, restorative justice needs a misfortune. The goal of reintegrating offenders into the law-abiding community has a better chance of being achieved if both systems are employed, in a coordinated programme, or else than if we reply upon one to the exclusion of the other (Hirsch, Ashworth Roberts, 2009). A fair and just response can only be determined by these two systems. Restorative justice has many advantages and claims to satisfy the purposes of sentencing hence its weaknesses. It needs to be practised more and the systems need to work together so justice can be determined.