Answer to Question #314262 in Psychology for Nqoqo

Question

Provide a discursive discussion o n secondary victimisation within the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and explain how victims can be supported and empowered through victim support models. Use relevant examples.

Answer 1

Victims need to be protected in their privacy. Their experience should be treated with confidentiality by all stakeholders involved. One can easily imagine that for a victim reading about the ordeal of the offence in a news report may be a form of revictimization. This requires legislation and codes of conduct for the media, as well as mechanisms for accountability for breaches.

Criminal justice professionals also bear obligations regarding the protection of victims. As the United Nations Declaration clearly states, victims need to be protected from further criminal acts, including retaliation and intimidation. Victims may be at ongoing risk, or may perceive that they are at ongoing risk, from both the offender and also the friends and supporters of the offender, or those potentially copying the offence. For victims of repeat or chronic violence, including domestic violence, security may be a primary concern. In fact, victims may not feel able to report such crimes if they perceive that their protection cannot be guaranteed.