CRIMINAL JUSTICE, VICTIM SUPPORT CENTERS, AND THE EMOTIONAL WELLBEING OF CRIME VICTIMS

SUMMARY (Français au-dessous)After the Second World War, the role of the victim in criminal conflict became an objectof interest for academics. But it was only in the 1960s that the importance of providingprotection and assistance to crime victims was highlighted in particular by the victims'movement, which inaugurated a new era of criminal justice in systems throughout the world.Moving beyond just the role of controlling crime and punishing the offender, the criminaljustice system also began to contribute to the victims' rehabilitation and to help the victim tomove on from the event psychologically and emotionally.Although some criminological research has been conducted, to date the effect that thecriminal justice system and victim support services have on the well-being of crime victims isstill uncertain.The current study sought to understand better the healing process of victims of crime, thepotential consequences of their participation on the criminal justice system, and the supportof victim centers. Moreover, it aimed to find out whether the existence of a Victim SupportAct would change the treatment that the victim receives in the criminal justice system. Thusthis research was conducted based in two countries - Switzerland and Brazil - where theoutcome of the victims' movement on the criminal justice system was different, as was theparticipation of the victim in the criminal justice system and the government's provision ofsupport.In order to conduct this research we employed the qualitative method, which is the mostefficient to gather sensitive information. Interviews with crime victims were the main sourceof information. Hearing observation and document research were used as complementarysources.The results of this research show that victims who have contact with the criminal justicesystem and victim services are not more likely to recover than those who had no contact. Thisis to say, the support offered has no major effects; the influence of the criminal justice systemand the victim support services in the emotional well-being of crime victims is rather neutral.However, considering that the sample is not representative, findings are not expected to begeneralized. Instead, findings may give insight to practitioners or to future criminal justicepolicy makers, suggesting what may work to improve the emotional well-being of crimevictims, as well as suggesting further studies.________________________________________________________________________________RÉSUMÉAprès la deuxième guerre mondiale, le rôle de la victime est devenu un objet d'intérêtpour les académiciens. Par contre, c'est seulement dans les années 60 que l'importance defournir de la protection et de l'appui aux victimes d'infractions a été accentuée, en particulierpar un mouvement ― victims' mouvement ―, qui a inauguré un nouveau temps dans lajustice pénale des systèmes juridiques du monde entier. A part la fonction de contrôler lecrime et de punir le délinquant, le système de justice pénale joue également un rôle dans laréhabilitation des victimes.Malgré la réalisation de plusieurs recherches criminologiques sur ce sujet, les effets que lesystème de la justice pénale et les centres d'aides aux victimes ont sur le bien-être desvictimes d'infractions est encore incertain.Ainsi cette étude cherche à mieux comprendre le processus de réhabilitation des victimesd'infraction, les conséquences de leur participation dans le système de justice pénale ainsique la portée de l'appui des centres d'aide. De plus, l'étude vise à découvrir si l'existenced'une loi d'aide aux victimes, particulièrement la Loi d'Aide aux Victimes d'InfractionsLAVI, est susceptible de changer le traitement que la victime reçoit dans le système de lajustice pénale. Pour cela, elle a été conduite dans deux pays - la Suisse et le Brésil - où lesconséquences du mouvement des victimes sur le système de la justice pénale a eu undéveloppement différent; il en va de même pour la participation de la victime dans laprocédure pénale et pour l'appui offert par l'Etat.Cette étude utilise la méthode qualitative qui est la plus efficace pour le recueild'informations sensibles. La plus importante source des données sont les interviews avec lesvictimes. L'observation des audiences et l'analyse de documents ont été utilisés en tant quesources d'information complementáire.Les résultats de cette recherche montrent que les victimes qui ont porté plainte et qui ontreçu l'appui des centres d'aides ne sont pas mieux rétablies que celles qui n'ont rien fait. C'estainsi que nous avons conclu que les services offerts n'ont aucune influence dans ce processus.Cependant, considérant que notre échantillon n'est pas représentatif, il n'est pas possible degénéraliser nos résultats. Néanmoins, ceux-ci peuvent éclairer les praticiens ou les futursdécideurs politiques de la justice pénale, suggérant ce qui peut fonctionner pour lerétablissement des victimes d'infraction, aussi bien que suggérer d'autres études.

The economics of organized crime and optimal law enforcement

This paper extends the optimal law enforcement literature to organized crime.We model the criminal organization as a vertical structure where the principal extracts some rents from the agents through extortion. Depending on the principal's information set, threats may or may not be credible. As long as threats are credible, the principal is able to fully extract rents.In that case, the results obtained by applying standard theory of optimal law enforcement are robust: we argue for a tougher policy. However, when threats are not credible, the principal is not able to fully extract rents and there is violence. Moreover, we show that it is not necessarily true that a tougher law enforcement policy should be chosen when in presence of organized crime.

Desistindo da denúncia: experiências de mulheres vítimas da violência por parceiros íntimos

O presente trabalho monográfico intitulado “Desistindo da denúncia: experiências de mulheres vítimas da violência por parceiros íntimos”, analisa os factores que influenciam as mulheres a não-denunciar e a desistir do processo das denúncias de violência com base no género, particularmente a violência infringidas por parceiros íntimos bem como conhecer os reais factores que estão na origem dessa problemática. A investigação teve dois momentos ser destacados: a pesquisa teórica (revisão bibliográfica e documental sobre Violência Baseada no Género); a pesquisa empírica, com a aplicação das entrevistas às mulheres vítimas da Violência Baseada no Género. Os resultados obtidos permitem considerar que as mulheres vítimas Violência Baseada no Género não-denúnciam e desistem da denúncia devido os factores diversos designadamente a situação económica, laços afectivos e status social.

Circuito das Denúncias de Abuso Sexual contra Crianças e Adolescentes na Cidade da Praia Estudo de Caso do Programa Disque Denúncia do ICCA

Este estudo foi elaborado a partir das experiências vivenciadas no campo de estágio (Programa Disque Denúncia do ICCA- PDD - ICCA), através do atendimento sistemático e emergencial da criança e do adolescente em situação de risco pessoal e social, cujas problemáticas apresentadas possuem características semelhantes como os maus tratos, a negligência, o abandono, as violências, física, psicológica e sexual. O conceito da violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes é problema antigo, que perdure na sociedade contemporânea, mesmo depois da liberdade sexual generalizada. Contudo, esse ato é social e legalmente considerado crime grave contra as crianças e os adolescentes. Por consequência, o infrator é punido de acordo com a legislação do seu país. As nações unidas, criou convenções dos direitos das crianças e dos adolescentes, como forma de protegê-los. Essa Convenção que Cabo Verde já ratificou para legitimar a sua aplicabilidade e poder usufruir das suas recomendações. É de realçar, o tratamento da saúde física e mental da criança e do adolescente e até dos seus familiares, tendo em vista as consequências psicológicas decorrentes da situação de abusos. Essas consequências que provêm da desestruturação, da família da criança e do seu meio ambiente. Em Cabo Verde, infelizmente ainda, temos crianças que são vítimas de violação dos seus direitos e de crimes violentos, como é o caso da violência sexual, que acabam pondo em causa o desenvolvimento saudável dessas crianças. É de frisar, a extrema importância ao repor esses direitos a essas crianças e fazer com que o agressor, criminoso pague pelos seus crimes. São os grandes desafios do Governo, das Instituições Públicas e Privadas, Associações, ONG, e a Sociedade Civil, que trabalham em prol da Promoção, Divulgação e Garantia dos Direitos das Crianças. Neste sentido, foram criadas várias parcerias com estas instituições de modo a realizarem um trabalho em equipa, multidisciplinar e em articulação, cabendo a cada uma realizar, de melhor forma, a parte que lhe compete sempre com o princípio de salvaguardar o direito da criança e do adolescente. A títulode exemplo, ressaltamos o Programa Disque Denúncia, que dependendo da natureza e da gravidade das denúncias e dos casos atendidos são encaminhados para o Ministério Publico, Tribunal, Polícia Judiciária, Polícia Nacional, Delegacia de Saúde, entre outras instituições, no sentido de serem tomadas as devidas providências e assim garantir e repor os direitos violados. É extremamente importante o envolvimento da família e de toda a comunidade educativa, na garantia dos diretos da criança e do adolescente. Só assim é possível um trabalho em rede por forma desmistificar os possíveis abusos. A revelação do abuso sexual produz uma crise imediata nas famílias e na rede de profissionais. A complexidade dos processos envolvidos exige uma abordagem multidisciplinar que integre os três tipos de intervenção: punitiva, protetora e terapêutica, como propõe Furniss, (1993). Integrar essas ações de forma a não causar maiores danos à criança, diante da situação de exposição e ruturas desencadeadas pela situação da revelação, é o grande desafio dos profissionais. O trabalho de atendimento à família, vítimas e agressores, é fundamental. Todavia, infelizmente muitas vezes a família tenta fugir do atendimento, devido a enorme carga, medo e de ansiedade mobilizada nestas situações, sendo muitas vezes, necessário apoio legal e psicológico para mantê-la em acompanhamento. Este trabalho académico pretende compreender como funciona o processo da violação sexual da criança e adolescente no ICCA através do Programa Disque Denúncia (PDD). Porém, ao longo desta pesquisa, pudemos constatar que existem algumas falhas no procedimento da denúncia, muitas vezes, por falta de meios materiais e humanos. Nessa perspetiva, acredita-se que este estudo tem o seu significado, pois, permitirá o questionamento técnico e científico, propondo formas alternativas de ação que possam ajudar as crianças e adolescentes vitimados, trazendo o problema para a discussão crítica e técnica dos especialistas e da sociedade civil em geral. Para concluir este trabalho efetuamos entrevistas com as instituições nacionais intervenientes no processo da violação sexual de menores, que após as análises críticas, aferimos que há aproveitamento das sinergias para sanar este problema, mas que existem cm curtos-circuitos ouruídos que não deixam o processo avançar devidamente. Por conseguinte, propomos a criação de um departamento do citado PDD no ICCA com a representação de todos os interessados (PN, PJ, DSP, MP e SC), em todas as delegações do ICCA.

Iowa Uniform Crime Report, 2004

The National Uniform Crime Reporting System began with 400 cities representing 20 million inhabitants in 43 states on January 1st, 1930. Since the establishment of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the volume, diversity, and complexity of crime steadily increased while the UCR program remained virtually unchanged. Recognizing the increasing need for more in-depth statistical information and the need to improve the methodology used for compiling, analyzing, auditing, and publishing the collected data, an extensive study of the Uniform Crime reports was undertaken. The objective of this study was to meet law enforcement needs into the 21st century. The result of the study was NIBRS (National Incident Based Reporting System). Adoption of the NIBRS system took place in the mid 1980’s and Iowa began organizational efforts to implement the system. Conversion to IBR (Incident Based Iowa Uniform Crime Reporting) was completed January 1, 1991, as part of a national effort to implement incident based crime reporting, coordinated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice. Iowa was the fifth state in the nation to be accepted as a certified “reporting state” of incident based crime data to the national system.

Iowa Uniform Crime Report, 2003

SERIOUS CRIMES: the rate decreased 6.6 percent from 3,669 crimes per 100,000 population in 2002 to the adjusted rate of 3,427 crimes per 100,000 population in 2003. Also known as the Crime Index, serious crimes include the violent crimes of murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault and the property crimes of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. VIOLENT CRIMES: decreased 5.2 percent from 2002 to 2003, violent crimes dropped from an adjusted rate of 313.8 crimes per 100,000 population reported in 2002 to 297.4 crimes per 100,000 population in 2003. PROPERTY CRIMES: decreased 6.7 percent from an adjusted rate of 3,355 crimes per 100,000 population in 2002 to 3,131 crimes reported in 2003.

Iowa Uniform Crime Report, 2005

The National Uniform Crime Reporting System began with 400 cities representing 20 million inhabitants in 43 states on January 1st, 1930. Since the establishment of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the volume, diversity, and complexity of crime steadily increased while the UCR program remained virtually unchanged. Recognizing the increasing need for more in-depth statistical information and the need to improve the methodology used for compiling, analyzing, auditing, and publishing the collected data, an extensive study of the Uniform Crime reports was undertaken. The objective of this study was to meet law enforcement needs into the 21st century. The result of the study was NIBRS (National Incident Based Reporting System). Adoption of the NIBRS system took place in the mid 1980’s and Iowa began organizational efforts to implement the system. Conversion to IBR (Incident Based Iowa Uniform Crime Reporting) was completed January 1, 1991, as part of a national effort to implement incident based crime reporting, coordinated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice. Iowa was the fifth state in the nation to be accepted as a certified “reporting state” of incident based crime data to the national system.

Iowa Uniform Crime Report, 2006

The National Uniform Crime Reporting System began with 400 cities representing 20 million inhabitants in 43 states on January 1st, 1930. Since the establishment of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the volume, diversity, and complexity of crime steadily increased while the UCR program remained virtually unchanged. Recognizing the increasing need for more in-depth statistical information and the need to improve the methodology used for compiling, analyzing, auditing, and publishing the collected data, an extensive study of the Uniform Crime reports was undertaken. The objective of this study was to meet law enforcement needs into the 21st century. The result of the study was NIBRS (National Incident Based Reporting System). Adoption of the NIBRS system took place in the mid 1980’s and Iowa began organizational efforts to implement the system. Conversion to IBR (Incident Based Iowa Uniform Crime Reporting) was completed January 1, 1991, as part of a national effort to implement incident based crime reporting, coordinated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice. Iowa was the fifth state in the nation to be accepted as a certified “reporting state” of incident based crime data to the national system.

Iowa Uniform Crime Report, 2007

The National Uniform Crime Reporting System began with 400 cities representing 20 million inhabitants in 43 states on January 1st, 1930. Since the establishment of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the volume, diversity, and complexity of crime steadily increased while the UCR program remained virtually unchanged. Recognizing the increasing need for more in-depth statistical information and the need to improve the methodology used for compiling, analyzing, auditing, and publishing the collected data, an extensive study of the Uniform Crime reports was undertaken. The objective of this study was to meet law enforcement needs into the 21st century. The result of the study was NIBRS (National Incident Based Reporting System). Adoption of the NIBRS system took place in the mid 1980’s and Iowa began organizational efforts to implement the system. Conversion to IBR (Incident Based Iowa Uniform Crime Reporting) was completed January 1, 1991, as part of a national effort to implement incident based crime reporting, coordinated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice. Iowa was the fifth state in the nation to be accepted as a certified “reporting state” of incident based crime data to the national system.

Iowa Uniform Crime Report, 2008

The National Uniform Crime Reporting System began with 400 cities representing 20 million inhabitants in 43 states on January 1st, 1930. Since the establishment of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the volume, diversity, and complexity of crime steadily increased while the UCR program remained virtually unchanged. Recognizing the increasing need for more in-depth statistical information and the need to improve the methodology used for compiling, analyzing, auditing, and publishing the collected data, an extensive study of the Uniform Crime reports was undertaken. The objective of this study was to meet law enforcement needs into the 21st century. The result of the study was NIBRS (National Incident Based Reporting System). Adoption of the NIBRS system took place in the mid 1980’s and Iowa began organizational efforts to implement the system. Conversion to IBR (Incident Based Iowa Uniform Crime Reporting) was completed January 1, 1991, as part of a national effort to implement incident based crime reporting, coordinated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice. Iowa was the fifth state in the nation to be accepted as a certified “reporting state” of incident based crime data to the national system.