A History of Victims of Crime: How they Reclaimed their Rights

This book explores the evolution of the contemporary crime victims procedural place within modern Western societies, using the Irish crime victim as a case study. It charts the place of victims within criminal justice over time, from their expansive latitude in the eighteenth century to their relegation to witness and informer in the nineteenth and back to a more contemporary recapturing of some of their previous centrality. It also examines the impact on suspects and offenders and the population more generally. The book argues that the modern crime victim has transcended its position of marginality and has become a key sociopolitical stakeholder, leading to the importance of victim rights conferrals and social transformations. It will be of interest to researchers, academics, and policy makers in criminal law, human rights law, criminology, and legal history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 19 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate evolution of the procedural status of contemporary crime victims within modern Western societies. By examining the historical trajectory of the Irish crime victim, the author highlights the shifting roles and significance of victims within the criminal justice system over time. From their initial prominence during the eighteenth century to their marginalization in the nineteenth century as mere witnesses and informers, the victims' position has undergone a remarkable transformation. However, the book goes beyond mere legal analysis, exploring the profound impact of these changes on suspects, offenders, and the broader population.

In order to understand the implications of this transformation, the book conducts a thorough examination of its effects on the right to a fair trial and various social forms. It argues that the modern crime victim has transcended its marginal status, emerging as a powerful and influential sociopolitical stakeholder. This shift is not limited to legal reforms but is also a result of broader sociocultural transformations in our societies.

The book underscores the importance of victim rights conferral and the social transformations that have driven these trends. By highlighting the re-emergence of victims as a significant social force, the author emphasizes the need for a reassessment of our understanding of crime and justice. This work will appeal to researchers, academics, and policy makers in the fields of criminal law, human rights law, criminology, and legal history, as it provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of victimization and the role of victims in shaping the criminal justice system.

Weight: 660g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032188225