How To Get Involved

Minorities comprise a large percentage of victims and witnesses of criminal acts. Because minorities are disproportionately impacted by crime and victimization, their need to participate in victim advocacy is clearly necessary.

What is victim advocacy and how do you get involved? A victim advocate is one who is concerned and speaks out for the rights of victims. Becoming a victim advocate in your community is easy to achieve. These are some of the first steps to becoming an advocate for victim rights.

Three types of legislation addressing victim problems have been enacted at the state level in recent years which you need to become familiar with: victim compensation laws, restitution statutes and a victim's "Bill of Rights."

Victim reimbursement programs attempt to repay victims for their losses, their victimization and its aftermath. This occurs in several ways. Compensation programs provide personal crime victims with government payments to restore their losses. They help improve victims' attitudes toward the criminal justice system and government and increase their willingness to cooperate. Compensation programs exist in most states across the country and have emerged because of official initiatives and concern by public interest and special program groups.

Restitution programs which arose as a correctional alternative advocated by those concerned about victims and the community require offenders to use their own resources to repay victims for their losses. In some programs such as those in Minnesota, Iowa, Georgia, California and Maryland, the payments may be given to the community. The courts in almost every jurisdiction have the power to order restitution.

Another alternative for the victim is to bring civil lawsuits in addition to any criminal actions against the offender. This civil suit will allow the victim to gain financial damages. Crime victims may also sue third parties, holding them liable for tailing to take proper precautionary measures.

Victims must be advocates for themselves. They must become aware of all programs which service them.

Often at trial, victims who attempt to participate find themselves on trial as much as the offender. This is a typical experience for victims who have little political status or power, coming largely trom middle and especially low income backgrounds. Thus not only are lobbying and advocacy activities necessary, but minorities with the help of court personnel must move toward a better understanding of the court process and how it can work to support them.

Victim advocates should familiarize themselves with legislation which affect minorities. They should lobby their local legislators to vote for particular bills. They may also organize various community groups to lobby for particular legislation.

The Courts: How To Get Help

Minorities have a basic distrust of the criminal justice process and this includes the court system. In recent years, the battleground has shifted from the legislature and the repeal and enactment of statutes to the trial courts. Now that attention is on trial courts, we have listed steps to advocate for victims in the courts.

Get The Courts And Prosecutors To Respond By:

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This document was last updated on June 26, 2008