Becoming a crime victim or witness is a life-shattering event that affects millions of Americans. The experience can destroy a person's sense of safety and security and cause devastating harm that is often difficult to heal. Criminal justice system personnel have a special responsibility to treat crime victims and witnesses fairly by enforcing their rights, properly including them in criminal justice system processes, making referrals to appropriate services, and holding perpetrators accountable.

For too long, the criminal justice system has overlooked the rights and needs of crime victims and witnesses. In recent years, however, new Federal and State laws have sought to improve the treatment of crime victims and address their concerns.

We are constantly learning about better ways to assist crime victims and witnesses. This new version the Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance incorporates that knowledge, includes recent legislative changes, and addresses a new opinion by the Office of Legal Counsel regarding the mandatory nature of some provisions.

The Guidelines reflect my strong belief that victims should play a central role in the criminal justice system and my commitment that all components of the United States Department of Justice respond to crime victims with compassion, fairness, and respect, in accordance with the letter and spirit of the law.