ABSTRACT
Crime victims are left in the shadows of the criminal justice system. Victims are the main source of information about crimes and criminals. But justice rarely recognises legally the interests of victims in recovering from their pain or ensuring their safety and privacy. There is a need for legislation that informs courts what to do as well: to respect victims of crime while pursuing the safety and security of persons and property, human rights, cooperation with community agencies, and respect for the pluralistic nature of today's society. It would make sense for these principles to be stated simultaneously in both the criminal code or code of criminal procedure and in any law that applies to policing. Through the work of international and national non-governmental organisations, there is hope for meaningful programs by the police, courts, community and social service, and medical agencies to respect and meet the needs of victims of crime.
