Working with Victims of Crime

There are an increasing number of organisations dedicated to supporting victims and, to a greater or lesser extent, committed to campaigning for improvements in their situation. Based on the author's experience in working with both victims and offenders, Working with Victims of Crime provides an objective analysis of developments in the field of victim support and their impact on both policy and practice. The book examines such topics as:

• who are the victims of crime what are their needs, and what rights do they and should they have?

• how professional and voluntary service providers can help recovery

• the role of the agencies involved in supporting victims

• how the criminal justice system can improve its service to victims

• why victim support has become an issue

• how the state has reacted to the growth of victim support organisations.

The book also looks at the needs and responses of victims to particular types of crime, where there is an increasing body of knowledge relating to the range of likely responses. Examples of good practice from the agencies and the views of volunteer workers on improving victim support are also included. The author goes on to explore the politics of victimisation, setting this within an international context by comparing models of policy and practice that have been adopted in other countries. Finally the book argues that current victim support could be improved with greater liaison between service providers.

Working with Victims of Crime will appeal to all with an interest in planning and providing direct services to victims, and training service providers, as well as specialists in social policy and criminology.