The Victims' Rights Movement
What It Gets Right, What It Gets Wrong
Published on 30. June 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-1-4798-4020-5 (ISBN)
Description
Outlines the successes and failures of the movement to support survivors of violence
The Victims' Rights Movement (VRM) has been one of the most meaningful criminal justice reforms in the United States. Every state and the federal government has adopted major VRM laws to enact protections for victims and increase criminal sanctions, and the movement has received support from politicians of all backgrounds. Despite recognition of its excesses, the movement remains an important force in the criminal justice arena.
The Victims' Rights Movement offers a measured overview of the successes and the failures of the VRM. Among its widely acknowledged accomplishments are expanded resources to help victims deal with trauma, greater sensitivity to sexual assault victims in many jurisdictions, and increased chances of victims receiving restitution from perpetrators of harm. Conversely, the movement has led to excessive punishment for many defendants and destruction of defendants' families. It has exacerbated racial inequality in the imposition of the death penalty and criminal sentencing generally, and falsely promises "closure" to crime victims and their families.
Michael Vitiello considers whether the VRM serves those injured by crime well by focusing on "victimhood." He urges a reframing of the movement to fight for universal health care and limits on access to weapons-two policies that would reduce the number of victims and help those who do become victims of crime.
The Victims' Rights Movement (VRM) has been one of the most meaningful criminal justice reforms in the United States. Every state and the federal government has adopted major VRM laws to enact protections for victims and increase criminal sanctions, and the movement has received support from politicians of all backgrounds. Despite recognition of its excesses, the movement remains an important force in the criminal justice arena.
The Victims' Rights Movement offers a measured overview of the successes and the failures of the VRM. Among its widely acknowledged accomplishments are expanded resources to help victims deal with trauma, greater sensitivity to sexual assault victims in many jurisdictions, and increased chances of victims receiving restitution from perpetrators of harm. Conversely, the movement has led to excessive punishment for many defendants and destruction of defendants' families. It has exacerbated racial inequality in the imposition of the death penalty and criminal sentencing generally, and falsely promises "closure" to crime victims and their families.
Michael Vitiello considers whether the VRM serves those injured by crime well by focusing on "victimhood." He urges a reframing of the movement to fight for universal health care and limits on access to weapons-two policies that would reduce the number of victims and help those who do become victims of crime.
Reviews / Votes
"This engaging history of the Victims' Rights Movement is both brave and indispensable." - Susan A. Bandes, Centennial Professor of Law Emeritus, DePaul University College of Law "Vitiello has crafted a measured and compelling examination of the triumphs and pitfalls of the Victims' Rights Movement. He furthers the conversation by urging a reframing of the movement to include policies that would address determinants of violent behavior, as well as non-legal resources for victims. This book is of significant quality." - Joshua Dressler, Distinguished University Professor Emeritus and Professor of Law Emeritus, The Ohio State University "Drawing on data and a review of positions taken by both advocates and opponents, Vitiello provides a sobering rejoinder to the emotional appeal of the Victims' Rights Movement. The book includes suggestions for alternatives that do not weaken the protections of the criminal legal system and is essential reading for anyone who is concerned about both victims and the problems of racism and mass incarceration that accompany current approaches to dealing with crime." - Susan F. Mandiberg, Distinguished Professor of Law Emerita, Lewis & Clark Law School "A powerful indictment of how sympathy for crime victims was coopted by a bipartisan vengeance-based agenda that offered illusory benefits to victims while restricting rights of suspects, increasing rates of wrongful convictions, and fueling mass incarceration. Vitiello's groundbreaking study combines close readings of headline grabbing cases with theoretical engagement, questioning the movement's narrow definition of victimhood and its myth of closure." - Michael H. Hoffheimer, Emeritus, University of Mississippi School of Law "Much-needed, balanced, and thorough. Vitiello offers a persuasive agenda for measures that would reduce the risks of violent crime and at the same time constructively address the needs of those who are its victims." - Stephen J. Schulhofer, Robert B. McKay Professor of Law Emeritus, NYU School of Law "Well-researched and well-argued... Vitiello has an impressive depth of knowledge about criminal procedure and the various arguments for and against victims' rights reforms." - Aya Gruber, University of Colorado Law School "It is unlikely that there is another book on this subject that so poignantly captures the history and contemporary issues of victims' rights, and does so with a reminder of optimism." (CHOICE)More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 224 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
368 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4798-4020-5 (9781479840205)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Michael Vitiello is Distinguished Professor of Law at University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. He is the author of numerous publications, including Cases and Material on Marijuana Law (co-authored with Howard Bromberg and Mark K. Osbeck) and Animating Civil Procedure.