Naslov
Specific Roles and Responsibilities of the Police in Victim Assistance: Police Officers’ View

Autori
Kovčo Vukadin, Irma ; Matić, Renato

Izvornik
Varstvoslovje (1580-0253) 13 (2011), 2; 145-168

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
police officers; crime victims; attitudes; social expectations

Sažetak
Crime victims are gaining more attention worldwide. Christie (2010) recognizes growing victim movements as a natural consequence of modernity in which victims might feel they are forgotten in the legal process. The police are very important since they are the first state agency contacted by victims. The police have an important role in victims’ experiences after a criminal victimization – public opinion and personal attitudes about police can determine victims’ willingness to report victimization and influence the quality of information about the crime and the perpetrator and can serve as a protective or risk factor in the victims’ healing process. Police officers are front line officers who can have an Specific Roles and Responsibilities of the Police in Victim Assistance: Police Officers’ View important impact on victims’ current psychological status and their understanding and dealing with the criminal justice system. They can provide a significant support to the victim and refer her or him to a specific service for professional help. Do police officers really fulfil those expectations? As stated in the Handbook on Justice for Victims, “historically, police have not been provided with adequate training regarding the impact of violent crime on victims and methods of ensuring that victims are informed of their rights and referred to essential services. As a result, under-trained police have often been insufficiently sensitive when coming into contact with emotionally distraught victims, which has impaired victim satisfaction and undermined the confidence of victims and their willingness to participate in the criminal justice process” The importance of victim protection and assistance (not only from the policing perspective) is stipulated in the Salvador Declaration on Comprehensive Strategies for Global Challenges (United Nation [UN], 2010). In order to improve policies and procedures, it is important to assess current practice.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Sociologija

POVEZANOST RADA