Some criminological considerations on victims of crime

Abstract

Undoubtedly victims of crime play a crucial role in invoking the criminal and juvenile justice processes. An old proverb states: Where there is no complainant, there is no judge. Victims play an equally important role at the later stages of the judicial process, as witnesses. This brings out the traumatic effect which certain categories of crime victims have to endure when acting as witnesses for the prosecution. Special mention must be made to victims of sexual offences, who not unfrequently have to endure a humiliating experience in court, especially where the defence tries to depict the victim as having led on the accused. Unfortunately this harrowing experience is contributing negatively in the process of crime detection. Since more and more rape victims prefer to suffer in silence, rather than report their attack, fearing what awaits them in a criminal trial. Legislation in most North American States has eased victim's participation in the criminal justice process and provided compensation for their losses. It is important that in Malta such innovations be introduced. Just as it is in the interest of Society as a whole that a criminal be apprehended and undergoes a fair process, it is also in the general interest that crime victims , where it is proven justified be compensated for their losses. Equally important is the way a crime victim acting as witness is treated. If crime victims prefer to remain silent than the end result would be an escalation in the rate of crime commission.