ABSTRACT
In addition to suffering the consequences of the crime, victims are at times exposed to criminal procedures that, rather than contributing to their well-being, increase their suffering. This happens when criminal justice officials treat them with scepticism or marginalise them and prevent their involvement in criminal proceedings. Over the last decades, as a response to concerns manifested by scholars, practitioners and the victims themselves, international instruments such as the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power (1985) have served as impulses for creating new provisions (such as victim impact statements or state compensation), oriented not only to improving the situation of the victim within the criminal justice system, but also to improving the state response to victims’ needs. Unfortunately, and despite good intentions, these instruments did not lead to substantial improvements. The courtroom still remains a source of distress and discomfort for many victims of crime.
