Would Better Victim Services Reduce Crime and Increase Public Safety?
Overview
Yes. This is the perspective of guest Lenore Anderson, author of “In Their Names: The Untold Story of Victim’s Rights, Mass Incarceration, and the Future of Public Safety.”
Lenore is co-founder and president of the national organization Alliance for Safety and Justice.
Key Theme
The central theme in this discussion between Lenore and host David Risley explores how trauma-informed victim services could be more effective at increasing public safety than mass incarceration.
Challenging Common Misconceptions
Lenore explains that our current punishment-focused approach to criminal justice has led to one of the highest incarceration rates worldwide.
This system is driven largely by a misperception that harsh punishment is what victims want and need – hence the title “In Their Names.”
What Research Actually Shows
Extensive research reveals a stark contrast between the stereotype of vengeful victims and their actual priorities.
Most crime victims prefer:
- Crime prevention over punishment
- Rehabilitation over incarceration
- Mental health treatment over “tough on crime” policies
- Shorter sentences with more prevention investments
The majority believe that prevention should take priority over incarceration spending.
Most victims also believe imprisonment has little positive impact on reducing future crimes.
The Cycle of Trauma and Violence
During their conversation, Lenore and David discuss trauma as both:
- An effect of crime
- A major driving factor behind crime, especially violent crime
They explore how “hurt people hurt people” and why this matters for public safety.
Breaking the Cycle
One effective way to reduce violent crime is offering more trauma-informed services for victims.
This approach can reduce the need for some people, especially in high-crime communities, to turn to violence for self-preservation.
Resources for Victims of Crime
- Alliance for Safety and Justice: https://asj.allianceforsafetyandjustice.org/
- Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice: https://cssj.org/
- National Center for Victims of Crime: https://victimsofcrime.org/
- Trauma Recovery Centers: https://www.traumarecoverycentermodel.org/
- National Organization for Victim Assistance: https://www.trynova.org/
- WeHealUS: https://www.wehealus.org/
Resources on Crime Reduction
- Council on Criminal Justice: https://counciloncj.org/
- Arnold Ventures: https://www.arnoldventures.org/
- Vera Institute of Justice: https://www.vera.org/
- National Criminal Justice Reform Project: https://www.ncja.org/national-criminal-justice-reform-pr
- Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority: https://icjia.illinois.gov/
For more episodes of Justice Voices, visit our website at https://justicevoices.org
