Controversial and Critical Issues with Crime Victims: Current Research Begins to Reconcile the Debates

Abstract

Although over 24 million crime victims experience acute crisis episodes and trauma throughout the United States each year, it was not until 1985 that legislation, federal funding, and a federal Office for Victims of Crime were established (Green & Roberts, 2008). The landmark Victims of Crime Act of 1984 led to major federal funding for victim/witness assistance programs as well as victim service programs giving priority to domestic violence and sexual assault victims. This special double issue focuses on the controversial and critical issues with crime victims in the 21st century. This includes the crime victim groups that were neglected in the past—human trafficking victims, hazing victims, bullying victims, cyberstalking, and the effectiveness of restorative justice.