This paper examines the evolution of victims' rights in the United States, tracing the shift from the mid-twentieth-century "Golden Age of the Victim" — when crime survivors had little institutional support — to the modern era of comprehensive victim assistance programs. Drawing on federal legislation such as the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1993 and the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, the paper outlines how the legal definition of "victim" has expanded, how advocacy groups and "Son of Sam" laws protect survivors' interests, and how restorative justice models seek to balance community, victim, and offender needs. State-level initiatives, such as Florida's victim notification statutes, are also discussed.
The paper demonstrates policy-tracing argumentation: it introduces a problem (historical lack of victim support), tracks the legislative and advocacy responses over time, and evaluates outcomes. This technique is especially useful in criminal justice writing, where tracing the development of a law or program reveals how societal values shape the justice system.
The paper opens with historical context establishing the pre-reform "Golden Age" of victimization. It then moves into legal definitions of victim under federal law, followed by a dedicated section on victim assistance programs, key legislation, and advocacy mechanisms. A brief conclusion synthesizes the trajectory from helplessness to empowerment, framing the current era as a positive turning point for survivors.
Historically, crime ran rampant throughout the nation, and there was little a person could do after becoming a victim. Many people took up arms and attempted to address criminal activity on their own, left helpless and subject to repeat offenses. During what is sometimes called the Golden Age of the Victim, there was virtually no institutional help for those burdened by crime. Crime was just as costly for families then as it is today, and without financial or emotional support, its impact could be devastating.
People affected by physical or emotional crimes, or burdened by theft, were often left to fend for themselves. Friends and family members frequently had to pool resources simply to help survivors feel safe again. This period corresponds roughly to the era before the 1960s, when renewed efforts began to address victimization more systematically. Since then, many states within the United States have worked toward what some describe as a new Golden Age for victims — one focused on alleviating the financial and emotional burdens associated with crime.
Schmalleger (2008) discusses the legal tradition of the victim, noting that today there is more assistance available to victims than ever before. A turning point came with the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1993, which defines a victim as anyone against whom an offense has been committed. Federal law further expands this definition in two important ways: it encompasses a parent or legal guardian when the victim is younger than 18, and a family member designated by the court when the victim is deceased (Schmalleger, 2008; Schmalleger, Hall, Daniel & Dolatowski, 2009).
The definition of "victim" extends further still. It includes anyone who has been threatened, either directly or indirectly, and who has suffered harm — whether emotional, physical, or of another nature — as a result of a crime (Schmalleger, 2008; 1998). This broad legal framing is significant because it determines who qualifies for the protections and services provided under state and federal victim assistance programs.
Victim assistance programs are now in place across the country to support those harmed by crime. A foundational piece of federal legislation in this area is the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA), whose primary purpose is to provide financial compensation to victims (Schmalleger & Armstrong, 1997; Schmalleger, Hall & Dolatowski, 2009). VOCA established a Crime Victims Fund, drawing on fines and penalties paid by federal offenders rather than taxpayer dollars, to support victim compensation and assistance programs nationwide.
Victim advocates today also work to pass and uphold laws that expand victims' rights in additional ways. Among these are "Son of Sam" laws, which prevent offenders already convicted of crimes from profiting from those crimes — for example, by selling their stories to the media or marketing personal effects related to their offenses (Schmalleger, Hall & Dolatowski, 2009). Such laws ensure that perpetrators cannot continue to benefit financially after the fact from acts that harmed others.
A victim is anyone who has been affected or impacted by crime — whether physically, emotionally, or financially. This includes members of a victim's family, whether the victim was a child, a deceased family member, or someone close to the family such as a spouse. Historically, when someone was victimized, family members were left to manage the consequences on their own. Fortunately, a new Golden Era for victims has emerged, one in which victim assistance programs and victim advocates are plentiful and readily available to address survivors' needs. These needs may include financial support, emotional counseling, housing assistance, and even representation within the judicial system. Many laws are now in place to ensure that victims no longer need to face crime alone; the weight of both state and federal legislative frameworks stands behind them in the fight against crime.
Today, a victim can even be notified when the perpetrator of their crime is about to be released from prison. There is greater awareness within communities about the importance of crime prevention and about stepping up to help those in need. The contemporary approach to victimhood emphasizes empowerment — enabling survivors to step away from the victim mentality, reclaim control of their lives, and no longer define themselves solely by what was done to them. This shift in perspective represents the direction in which society continues to move: toward a culture where people are supported, informed, and no longer forced to suffer in silence.
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