Effects Of Criminal Victimization

Criminal victimization can be defined by the effects associated with becoming a victim of a crime; anyone can be victimized, including the strong, weak, or even the infirm. It’s the circumstances that dictates the probability of being victimized, from forgetting to lock your house doors, to walking down a dark city street at three o’clock in the morning. However, when an ordinary person transforms into a victim, they begin to question the moral code of humanity, and their rational decision making skills. Ultimately, it’s up to the criminal justice system “…to empower crime victims…” and provide them support in a time of personal crisis (Jarell and Ozymy 1). Victimization does not stop after a criminal offense has been prosecuted, it continues in the form of emotional distress, physical …show more content…
The victim is unexpectedly forced to rationalize a criminal act that affected their life for unjustified reasons. Emotional distress manifests itself in many forms, from loss of self-trust, crisis of faith, or even the ability to live a normal life. The criminal justice system attempts to assist victims in emotional recovery by punishing the offender that preformed the criminal act, and making “… victims’ emotions an explicit concern of criminal procedure through such innovations as victim impact statements” (Eisenberg 14). Additionally, the criminal justice system has an established victim witness program who assists victims with emotional and physical support throughout a court case. However, the actual victim recovery phase does not occur in the courtroom, it is provided by therapists, social workers, friends, and family. With time, devoted love, and energy, emotional distress can be managed or even overcome. Overall, emotional distress is the direct result of criminal victimization, and victim recovery takes place long after the criminal act is