Progress in the Victim Reform Movement: No Longer the "Forgotten Victim"

Abstract

lic awareness of the crime victim's problems and needs.By 1980, numerous organizations were advocating and implementing victim assistance programs.3 In 1981, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the week of April 19th "National Victims' Rights Week."4The growing concern for victims' rights, commonly referred to as the "victims' movement," also prompted President Reagan to establish the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime to examine problems confronted by victims and to suggest improvements in the treatment of victims.5 In December 1982, the Task Force published its report which included specific proposals that would further the interests of victims and help alleviate the problems encountered by victims when confronting the criminal justice system.6 During the same year, Congress passed the Federal Victim and Witness Protection Act of 19827 which, among other things, provided for victim restitution, use of victim impact statements at sentencing in federal cases, and victim and witness protection.Two years later, Congress passed the Victims of Crime Act of 1984,8 which established a victim compensation account funded by fines assessed in federal criminal convictions.As a result of the need for a continuation of these unprecedented achievements in the area of victims' rights, the United States Department of Justice granted funds to the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association to commission a series of articles on victims' rights.9 Those articles, written by distinwider community for solace and support, they are often ignored, treated insensitively, or, worst of all, blamed for their plight.Proclamation No. 5638, 3 C.F.R. 50 (1987).For an extensive discussion of the role of the victim through a historical perspective, see S. SCHAFER, VICTIMOLOGY: THE VICTIM AND His CRIMINAL 5-29 (1977).3. Examples of victim assistance programs include: National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA), Sunny Von Bulow National Victim Advocacy Center, National Victims of Crime, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).4. Proclamation No. 4831, 3 C.F.R. 18 (1982).The President has proclaimed a Crime Victims Week annually since 1981.See, e.g.

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