The victims of violent crimes are the injured parties - this fact often gets lost as criminal trials focus on the attackers. The criminal justice system is established to punish the criminal, not compensate the victims. As the victim you have the right to be compensated for your damages from the perpetrator and others responsible for your safety such as hotels, bars and other businesses. These damages are designed to make the victim whole, as well as to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar acts by others in the future. Civil litigation can attempt to compensate the victim and to return them to their prior standing. |
