Golden Age of the Victim Golden Age

Golden Age of the Victim

Golden Age Victim

An overview of the Golden Age of the Victim, including a comparison of victim mentalities of the 1960s era compared with the victim mentality of today's "victim" of crime. Synopsis of victim's assistance programs and victim advocates, including the methods they use to help victims and the laws enacted to provide victims with ongoing support within states and federal governing bodies.

Historically crime ran rampant throughout the nation. There wasn't much a person could do if they became a "victim" of crime. Many people took up arms and attempted to reconcile criminal activity on their own, helpless and subject to repeat offenses. During times of old, or the "Golden Age" of the victim, there was no help for someone defined as a victim, or burdened by crime. Crime was just as costly for many families as it is today, and with no support, financial or otherwise, for a single person or family, crime could be devastating.

People affected by crimes including physical or emotional crime, or burdened by theft, were often left to fend for themselves. Friends and family members often had to chip in to help bring people back to a place where they felt safe again. This time frame occurred somewhere around the 1960s, when efforts started anew to help stop victimization. Many states within the U.S. have started what some refer to as a new golden age, in an attempt to help improve the status of victims, by alleviating the costs associated with crime, and the emotional burdens associated with crime.

Schmalleger (2008) discusses the legal tradition of the victim, noting today there is more assistance for the victim than ever, starting with the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1993, which defines a victim as anyone against whom an offense has been committed. The federal law defines victim in two ways, including a parent or legal guardian if the victim is younger than 18 or a family member that the court designates if the victim is deceased (Schmalleger, 2008; Schmalleger, Hall, Daniel & Dolatowski, 2009). Victim can be defined in other ways, including anyone that has been threatened, either directly or indirectly, and suffered harm, whether emotional or physical, or other harm resulting from a crime (Schmalleger, 2008; 1998).

History and Significance of Victim's Assistance

Victim assistance programs are now in place to help victims of crime. These support other legislation including the 1984 passage of the federal Victims of Crime Act (Schmalleger & Armstrong, 1997; Schmalleger, Hall & Dolatowski, 2009) which purpose is to provide compensation to victims. Victim's advocates today work to pass laws, including "Son of Sam" laws, which also work to provide support for victims' rights, typically by denying offenders already convicted of crimes any opportunity to make money from their crimes; say for example, by selling their stories to the media (Schmalleger, Hall & Dolatowski, 2009). Other criminals have attempted to make gains from their criminal activity from selling personal effects and the like. Such laws work to stop perpetrators from gaining more than they already have by committing crime.

The philosophies on which such laws and victims advocacy groups are founded are based on providing victims equal standings at judicial hearings, and helping victims regain some of the costs lost as a result of their victimization. They hope to support a restorative justice model which suggests it is important to establish a balance between the needs of a community, the victim and the perpetrators of crime (Schmalleger, 1998). Certain states, such as in the state of Florida, and pursuant to Florida Statute 83610, ensure victims are protected by making certain offenses, such are threat of bodily injury a felony (Barnes, 2011). Victim notification is also provided to victims immediately upon release of an inmate following fulfillment of sentencing. Comprehensive programs like these ensure that the rights of victims are not ignored, and that their needs are addressed not just in the community, but also in the judicial system, where victims' advocates often stand alongside victims testifying in court cases.

Conclusions

A victim is anyone that has been affected or impacted by crime; whether physically, emotionally, or financially. This includes members of the family of a victim, whether the victim was a child or deceased family member, or someone close to the family (like a husband or wife). Historically when someone was victimized, family members were left to deal with the problem on their own. Fortunately today, a new Golden Era of the victim has emerged, where victim assistance programs and victim advocates are plentiful, readily available to assist victims with needs. These needs may include financial needs, emotional needs, housing needs and even representation within the judicial system. Many laws are now in place that ensure victims no longer need fear crime; rather they can rest assured the state and federal legislature are behind them 100% when it comes to fighting crime.