Victimology has remained a
neglected field in both governmental and scholarly spheres in almost all
countries of South Asia. The lack of awareness, research and government funding
are some of the basic reasons for this neglect. The victims of crime and
terrorism have financial, medical, social and psychological needs. Their
sufferings become more severe in the absence of comprehensive policies at
national, sub-national and local levels.
There are some critical issues
with compilation of data on victims of crime and terrorism by state
institutions in this region. We have to start from finding information about
these victims in a consolidated manner to conduct victim needs analysis. Any
policy framework without direct involvement of the victims will be misleading.
At the same time, it is important to explore the existing policy initiatives by
the United Nations, United States, Europe and other developed countries to
identify best international practices, as well review international and
regional instruments on victims.
This paper will discuss
policy recommendations for victims of crime and terrorism with reference to
South Asian countries. After a secondary
literature review of official crime statistics and existing initiatives in
these countries, the study finds that there is ample evidence that insufficient
arrangements exist for victims of crime and terrorism because of the absence of
comprehensive public policy. The study recommends improving and/or developing
the institutional infrastructure, victim databases, specific laws on victim
rights, victim notification schemes, victim support funds, medical
entitlements, emergency management systems, referral systems and improving the
level of participation in the criminal justice process for future policy
initiatives.
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