Introduction
| Date | 01 September 2000 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026975800000700401 |
| Published date | 01 September 2000 |
International Review of Victimology,
2000, Vol. 7, pp. i–ii
0269-7580/00 $10
© A B Academic Publishers —Printed in Great Britain
INTRODUCTION
ADAM CRAWFORD
The consequences of integrating a victim perspective into the delicate balance
between the state and offender give rise to crucial questions about the present and
future shape of criminal justice. In recent years, victims' interests have become
caught up in much larger political and philosophical debates. These have impli-
cations for the meaning of criminal justice, its place within society, the state's
role in punishment, welfare and harm reduction, and the effectiveness and
efficacy of the institutions of criminal justice. Where once victims occupied a
marginalised role and were best described as the 'forgotten party' within criminal
justice, whose disputes were appropriated from them, it has more recently
become increasingly difficult politically to discount victims. Hence, across
diverse legal and cultural contexts we have seen the proliferation of political
programmes, policy initiatives and practical developments which purport, in
some way or other, to advance the cause of victims, address their needs or
provide them with new rights and forms of redress. The developments which
have occurred in different European countries reflect their own institutional and
cultural legal frameworks. In addition to developments within specific jurisdic-
tions, recent years have witnessed the elaboration of concerns about victims of
crime and their status at an international level by bodies such as the United
Nations and the European Union.
And yet, this proliferation of activity begs a number of questions about the
ends served by, and the implications of, the greater integration of victims within
criminal justice. Should victims be given responsibility for decision-making
about the offender's sentence and release or should this remain the ultimate
responsibility of the state? To what extent do victims' interests affect or conflict
with, not only offenders' interests but also the 'public interest' — the essence of
criminal law? What is the legitimate role of the community in the processing of
disputes? To what extent should victims' needs be met within or outside of
criminal justice processes and proceedings? Will the integration of victims into
criminal justice see the triumph of emotion over reason? How far should victim
input be taken? And, to what extent does the greater involvement of victims in
their own conflict resolution represent a privatisation of criminal justice?
This special issue arose out of contributions to an international conference
held in York in July 1998. The conference aimed to examine recent legislative
and policy developments in relation to victims, as well as practical experiences,
research findings and theoretical debates from around the world. It was attended
by academics, practitioners and policy-makers from many different cultures and
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