Enhancing trust in the legal system through victims’ rights mechanisms

Abstract

Understanding trust in the legal system has been an important step in comprehending compliance with judicial authorities. Trust results from both procedural aspects such as perceptions of procedural fairness and outcome elements, such as a just verdict. These procedural elements meet the criteria of the relational model of authority, asserting a need for interpersonal treatment and neutrality when assessing justice judgments. While a plethora of research exists, there generally remains less empirical evidence from the crime victim’s perspective. The current study identifies six victim rights mechanisms and examines the association between these variables and the impact of the process on the victim’s trust in the legal system. Results indicate that for Dutch victims of serious crime, victim impact statements are significantly associated with trust. Incarceration as a control variable was also strongly associated with the dependent variable. Assistance from victim support reached marginal significance, though the latter displayed an inverse relationship. Implications for policy are discussed.

A qualitative examination of engagement with support services by victims of violent crime

“…Despite the low engagement with services in the sample, those participants who did engage with Victim Support and other support services described extremely positive experiences of the support provided: This is consistent with previous research indicating the importance of support for victims during engagement with the criminal justice system to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the legal process, as well as coping with the associated stress and anxiety (Bricknell et al, 2014;Laxminarayan, 2015). It also indicates that the assistance provided This was reflected in the positive participant evaluations of the emotional and practical support provided, and suggests the importance of trust in facilitating supportive relationships in which practical and emotional assistance can be provided to victims (Bradford, 2011;Laxminayarn, 2015).…”

“…This provides the service and support standards which victims of crime can expect from the police, support organisations 4 and the wider criminal justice system. It is also consistent with European level policy and requirements for Member States to implement the similar service provision and standards (European Union Directive 2012/29/EU, 2012Laxminarayan, 2015).…”

“…This provides the service and support standards which victims of crime can expect from the police, support organisations 4 and the wider criminal justice system. It is also consistent with European level policy and requirements for Member States to implement the similar service provision and standards (European Union Directive 2012/29/EU, 2012Laxminarayan, 2015).Victim Support is one of the largest providers of services to victims of crime, their families and witnesses in England and Wales (Lowe et al, 2015;Simmonds, 2013). It started as a voluntary organisation which mainly supported victims of burglary, and developed over the years to cover a wide variety of crimes including domestic and violent crime (Maguire and Kynch, 2000).…”

“…These may be local support services and / or charities which are funded through the PPC or by public donation. Such organisations are typically staffed by a combination of paid employees and volunteers, and also offer emotional and practical support to victims throughout their engagement with the criminal justice process.Research suggests that receiving assistance from Victim Support and other services can increase levels of confidence and perceived effectiveness of the criminal justice process, as well as providing victims with a voice and the perception of having their experiences taken seriously (Bradford, 2011;Laxminarayan, 2015). This associated enhancement of 6 victim trust in the procedural fairness of the criminal justice system represents a secondary benefit of engagement with support services in addition to receiving assistance in coping with the psychological impacts of victimisation (Freeman, 2013;Laxminarayan, 2015).…”

“…This associated enhancement of victim trust in the procedural fairness of the criminal justice system represents a secondary benefit of engagement with support services in addition to receiving assistance in coping with the psychological impacts of victimisation (Freeman, 2013;Laxminarayan, 2015).…”