Violent Crime Losses: Their Impact on the Victim and Society

Abstract

Crimes of violence have increased rapidly since 1950. In the face of increasing crime, the rights of the criminal have been protected and increased. At the same time, the rights of the victim of crime have remained relatively unchanged. The traditional rights of the victim have proven largely ineffective in providing compensation for losses suffered as a result of violent crimes. Against this setting, a number of states have seen fit to enact victim compensation programs. The existing state programs indemnify only losses which result from medi cal expenses and loss of earnings. They do not cover intangible personal losses or property losses. While far from a perfect solution, these laws emphasize the changing attitude of society toward the victims of violent crime.