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Definition: A victim is usually defined as a person who has been directly harmed by a crime that was committed by another person. In some states, victims' rights apply only to victims of felonies (more serious crimes) while other states also grant legal rights to victims of misdemeanors (less serious crimes)

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  • Victim Services

    About this Topic

    This webpage focuses on victim services such as corrections, reentry, parole, and probation that occur after an offender has been convicted, and it will provide resources and information for those working in this important, but rarely recognized area of corrections.

    Victims have statutory rights that begin the moment a crime is committed against them. Ideally, victims would be fully informed of their rights at every step in the process: at the time the crime is reported, during the justice process, while the offender is incarcerated, and when the offender reenters the community. Different criminal justice stakeholders are responsible for victim services at each stage of this process.

    Many states have created statutes that mirror and expand the federal provisions under 18 U.S.C. Section 3771. It is very important to know and understand the victim rights in your own jurisdiction, how those rights have been interpreted and what agency is responsible for providing for those rights. In many states the duties for post-conviction services are shared between the state departments of correction and the paroling authority.

    Agencies wishing to participate in training and/or examine and improve their response to victim services in corrections may apply for technical assistance here: I'm Looking for Technical Assistance for My Agency
     

  • Who Experiences Violent Victimization and Who Accesses Services?

    This report describes trends in victimization and victim service use over time, as well as patterns for the most recent time period. This information can inform the victim assistance, criminal justice, and broader public health community in key funding and policy decisions affecting the lives of crime victims and front line practitioners across the country, at a time when historic funding levels and increased flexibility in the use of victim assistance dollars make data-informed strategies as critical as ever.