The denial of compensation to victims of crime by the Pennsylvanian law is somehow inhuman. The Contributory Contact Clause, which states that “A person caused their own death,” diminishes not only the victim’s life but also humiliates the co-victims who include the family members of the victim. There seems to be a substantial political and professional interest in the definition of a victim. Certain categories of individuals are considered more eligible for protection than others, and inevitably, young people of color fall victims to unfair crime victim treatment.
The United Nations Human Rights declaration on victims of crime defines a victim as an individual who has suffered bodily or psychological harm, economic loss, or an apparent violation of their fundamental rights through actions contrary to the nation’s operative criminal laws. A person becomes a victim of a crime regardless of whether the offender has been recognized, detained, convicted, or prosecuted and irrespective of their kin relation to the victim. This also includes co-victims who are the immediate dependents or family members of the direct victim who, in essence, suffer damages through their intervention to help the victims from victimization (United Nations Human Rights, 2021).
Government authorities should treat all crime victims equally and fairly regardless of physical, political, economic, or social dynamic differences. Section 503(c) of the victims right and restitution act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 10607(c)) provides laws protecting the rights of crime victims; including the right to protection from the culprit, the right to a proper court or parole proceedings, the right to be heard, the right to timely and full restitution, and the right to fair treatment and privacy (United States Department of Justice, 2021). Victims’ rights should be evaluated to measure whether the victims of crime obtain the rights and services they are obliged to, if the rights improve their well-being, and whether the services provided positively impact the overall criminal justice system (Kris & Meg, 2020). Governments should revise their national laws and implement programs that importantly deliver meaningful legal and social services to victims of crime.
References
Kris, G. L., & Meg, G. (2020). What constitutes success? Evaluating legal services for victims of crime: A conceptual Model. Centre for Victim Research Repository. Web.
United Nations Human Rights. (2021). Declaration of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power. Web.
United States Department of Justice. (2021). Crime Victims’ Rights Ombudsman. Web.