The field of victimology originated in the 1940s when criminologists began to examine the relationship between victims and their perpetrators. Twenty years later, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered the creation of the Presidents Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice. Based on the findings from this commission, it was recommended to the Department of Justice that the victims of crime needed to be studied. This research occurred over the next 6 years and led to the establishment of the National Crime Survey in 1973, now called the National Crime Victimization Survey. The results of this survey led to sweeping legislation related to victims of crime.
Since then, numerous resolutions and acts throughout the world have been passed to support the rights of victims. In this Assignment, you explore the evolution of victimology through the analysis of a representative case and piece of legislation.
To prepare:
Identify one major criminal case that influenced legislation and affected the evolution of victimology.
By Day 7
Write a 750- to 1,250-word paper that responds to the following:
Briefly describe the history of victimology.
Describe the criminal case that you selected. Then, explain how the criminal case has influenced legislation and affected the evolution of victimology.
Explain how this legislation elevated the status of victims in the American criminal justice system.
Explain how the case highlights the victim perspective in a way previously not considered in typical views of the crime.
Describe the positive changes that have occurred in terms of support for victims.
Make one recommendation to address a need that still exists to support victims in the criminal justice system. Explain how your recommendation helps.
Be sure to draw upon examples from the case you selected and the Learning Resources to support your response.
