Deck 18: Victims, Criminal Justice and Restorative Justice

Question 1

What are the effects of crime on victims?

Answer 1

Responses could include information found on Table 18.1. Should include information related to physiological reactions, cognitive difficulties, and emotional responses.

Question 2

What is 'victimology'?

Answer 2

Responses could include:
-The study of victims of crime
-Contentious
-Looks at the extent, nature and causes of victimisation
-Considers the consequences for victims
-Explains victim proneness; why some experience repeat victimisation
-Considers the consequences for victims and their needs
-Considers ways to prevent victimisation and reduce fear of crime
-Also includes society's reaction to victims (victim blaming/victim defending)

Question 3

Discuss the impact of victimisation across different crime types.

Answer 3

Responses might include:
-The nature and circumstances of the crime influence how victims are affected
-Sexual assault - persistent social and psychological effects, victims are more likely to attempt suicide and suffer depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder is also common
-Child sexual assault - impacts on cognitive and social development, the psychological effects may never go away
-Robbery and assault - psychological and social effects, lead to lifestyle changes including relocation
-Homicide - produces secondary victims through grief and loss, vulnerability to alcoholism, drug addiction and suicide

Question 4

Discuss the effectiveness of restorative justice.

Question 5

What changes to legislation has Australia made in recent times to support victims of crimes?

Question 6

Outline ways in which contact with police can affect a victim's perception of the criminal justice system.

Question 7

What is the role of Commissioners for Victims' Rights or Victims of Crime?

Question 8

Outline the key features of restorative justice conferences.

Question 9

How are victims protected in the adversarial court environment?

Question 10

Outline how the legal system's response to victims has changed over time.

Question 11

Outline the hierarchy of victims of crime.