There is an integral part of the criminal justice system that in the past few years has been over-looked, the crime victims. The entire system, society included, has ignored the rights and sometimes even the existence of the victims of crime. They have been forgotten about, left in the dark about their case, and many times even blamed for their own victimization. The victims are tired of being ignored and thankfully they have advocates that support them in their plight for recognition. In the past fifty years the victim has been rediscovered and attention is now being focused on change in the legislation and the importance victims role in the criminal justice system is being acknowledged.
In our current criminal justice system, victims are intimidated by the entire process. Many times the victim is lost in the system, not knowing what is happening in their own case. They are not informed of changes or what certain accusations mean. Victims may also suffer second victimization by the system by having to retell their story and face their offender. The mistreatment of victims by the system ha s made them hesitant to participate and even to report that they had been victimized. A new federal study shows that only half of violent crimes committed in 2000 were reported to law enforcement authorities (Rappaport, 2003). Many victims do not report crime because the criminal justice system does not meet their emotional, physical, or financial needs in the aftermath of crime. Some fear offenders will retaliate and the system will not protect them. Others simply do not trust the system. .
Fortunately, policy makers and advocates have recognized the systems neglect and have fought for victim rights. One of the main goals has been to pass a Victim Rights Amendment into the US Constitution, to guarantee that victims will have certain rights when they are involved in the criminal justice system (Doerner & Lab, p.
