Alienating the Victim: Compensation and Victim Attitudes

Abstract

Criminal victimization and postvictimization experiences often affect victim attitudes negatively toward criminal justice and government. Victim‐compensation programs seek to improve those attitudes as well as to curb crime and repay victim losses. A few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of compensation plans in achieving their goals, and special attention is given herein to the programs' effects on attitudes. The research, done mostly in Florida, New York, and New Jersey, shows considerable victim disenchantment and even some evidence of greater discontent among applicants to such plans than among nonapplicants. Two primary causes of dissatisfaction are administrative inconvenience and receipt of an inadequate (or no) award. Thus, the effect of compensation plans seems to be more symbolic than tangible.