Neglect of victims of crime

Inadequate assistance to victims of crime
Undue consideration for criminals
Legal bias against complainants of crime
Legal indifference to victims of crime
Legal discrimination in favour of offenders
Prejudicial treatment of plaintiffs in criminal cases

Nature

In order to protect society, the main emphasis of legal systems traditionally has been upon the detection of crime and the punishment of the offender. More enlightened programmes aim to support the offender in an effort to prevent recidivism. Very little attention, however, has been paid, either by voluntary or by statutory bodies, to assess and supply the needs of the victim of crime. The main role of the victim at law has been as a source of evidence to secure a conviction against the offender, yet he or she may deserve restitution or recompense, and may also require legal, medical, psychiatric or social welfare assistance as a result of the crime. While the problems of victims, or likely victims, may be referred to incidentally, there has as yet been no concerted attempt to bring together and elaborate the measures needed on their behalf and to develop further approaches and techniques designed to improve their plight. International conventions do not presently articulate explicit rights to protection, reparation or justice for victims of crime.

Background

The concern for victims of crime is not new. The Hammarabi Code provided for reparation centuries ago. Further, many of the customary practices that were not changed by colonization promote reconciliation and reparation. However, the rights of victims were curtailed in the 19th century in many industrialized countries for such reasons as controlling unofficial retaliation and guaranteeing fine revenues for the state. Few countries afford victims comprehensive participation in the judicial process.

Incidence

Neglect of victims of crime is a persistent issue affecting millions globally, with studies indicating that a significant proportion of victims receive inadequate support, protection, or recognition from legal and social systems. Reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime highlight that in many countries, victims are often left without access to justice, compensation, or psychological assistance, exacerbating trauma and impeding recovery.
In 2022, a report by Amnesty International documented widespread neglect of sexual violence survivors in South Africa, where victims faced prolonged delays in forensic examinations and limited access to counseling services, underscoring systemic failures in victim support infrastructure.

Claim

The neglect of victims of crime is a grave and unacceptable injustice. When society overlooks their pain, it compounds their suffering and erodes trust in our justice system. Victims deserve compassion, support, and a voice—not indifference. Ignoring their needs perpetuates trauma and allows offenders to escape true accountability. Addressing this neglect is not optional; it is a moral imperative that demands urgent action from policymakers, communities, and every one of us.

Counter-claim

The so-called “neglect of victims of crime” is vastly overstated and hardly a pressing issue. Our justice system already provides ample support and resources for victims, from counseling to compensation. Focusing further on this distracts from more urgent societal problems. In reality, the system’s attention to victims is sufficient, and claims of widespread neglect are exaggerated, serving only to fuel unnecessary outrage rather than address genuine needs.