Victim's Movement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Victim's Movement - Essay Example Laws like Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) established the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the Victims’ Bill of Rights in 1990, Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 which includes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the subsequent Constitutional Amendment in 1996, were passed by government and promoted. Universities also expanded and established victim-related courses with the U.S. Department of Justice sponsoring the first National Victim Assistance Academy in 1995 (Wallace and Roberson, 2010). Undeniably, the movement succeeded, but an increase in crime rate and severity of crimes today need more educated and trained professionals for support and intervention. One goal the movement should strive for in the next ten years is to develop a plan to maximize government and the universities’ support with regard to intervention. Next, establish permanent information exchange with universities, regarding the changing needs of victims, modus operandi of criminals based on victims’ stories, and other information which may help universities update and improve victim services curriculum, aimed at skills and competency improvement of students when they graduate and practice. Lastly, an organization composed of representatives from the US Attorney’s office, FBI, military and other federal agencies, university and leaders of the different organizations involved in victims assistance and intervention, doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists and other such profession als need to be established. The organization shall serve as a coordinating body dealing with data and information on changing needs of victims and modus operandi of criminals. From the data, the organization can come up with a standardized manual dealing on victim assistance and intervention. All the goals mentioned above will surely make a big difference in