Assignment Attached Filed

Assignment Two: Victims’ Rights and Remedies

Purpose: Students will explore the victims’ rights framework in a U.S. state or another country. Students will research and outline the rights provided to victims, analyze the strength or limitations of those rights, and then apply that knowledge to a real news article about victims' rights or remedies from that location. This assignment is 2 parts (turn it in on ONE document submission).

Part 1: Victims' Rights Outline (Research-Based)

Instructions:
Choose one U.S. state or one country. Then, using official legal/government sources and peer-reviewed research, create a structured outline of the rights provided to victims of crime in that jurisdiction.

You may choose to focus on:

• Victims’ rights in general

• OR rights specific to victims of a certain crime (e.g., sexual assault, domestic violence, homicide)

Your outline should include:

• The name of the jurisdiction (state or country)

• A bullet-point list of rights afforded to victims (e.g., the right to be notified, to give input, to be present, etc.) This list may be rather extensive; you can include however many you want in your outline as long as you have at least 8-10.

  • Each bullet point must be accompanied by a brief explanation of how this might benefit the victim or definition for each right.

  • For example: The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of the arrest, release, or escape of the accused. Explanation: Victims are to be made aware of changes in the status of offenders. This gives them access to vital information that could pertain to subsequent offenses or their own safety in their community.

• Citations are required in APA format for each bullet point. You will likely need 2-4 sources.

Helpful sources:

• National Center for Victims of Crime

• U.S. Office for Victims of Crime

• State legislature or DOJ websites

• UNODC, European Court of Human Rights, or national victim law in other countries

• Peer-reviewed journals on victim rights policy

Part 2: Analysis of the Rights Provided

Instructions:
Write 1 double spaced page analyzing the rights you outlined. Use course concepts or theories (cite these sources [textbook, PowerPoints, etc.] to guide your response. You will likely need to cite 4-5 sources.

Prompts to guide analysis:

• Does this jurisdiction provide meaningful protection for victims?

• Are there any rights missing that you think should be included?

• Are these rights mostly symbolic or enforceable?

• Are there any notable gaps or limitations?

• Do these rights center the victim’s voice or prioritize system efficiency?

• Who might be excluded or underserved by this legal framework?

• How do these rights reflect cultural or political values in the jurisdiction?