ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to reverse the historic trend of alienating victims from the resolution of criminal matters. It explains two general trends that seek to make the victim an active participant at various stages of the justice system. The chapter also explains the efforts to promote federal and state constitutional changes. It explores some of the guarantees that have been extended to crime victims. The chapter describes the evolution of victim impact statements and talks about efforts to professionalize victim services. Victim rights reform has taken several different paths in the USA. One strategy has involved efforts to gain the passage of a federal constitutional amendment, commonly referred to as a Victim Rights Amendment (VRA), to guarantee victims certain rights when they participate in the criminal's justice system. A victim impact statement (VIS) allows the victim the opportunity to let the court know how the incident has influenced his or her life.
