Citation

Edwards I. Br. J. Criminol. 2004; 44(6): 967-982.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/bjc/azh050

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Popular debate about the appropriate place of victims in criminal justice decision-making tends to be couched in terms of balance'. This rhetorical device precludes a comprehensive analysis of the issues raised by victim involvement. This article argues that an analysis of the concept of participation is more fruitful. I delineate four different participatory roles for victims, each envisaging a particular relationship between victim and criminal justice decision-maker. I then discuss a recent reform in England and Wales--the Victim Personal Statement Scheme--to illustrate the ambiguity that can arise in a victim's participatory role when governments pay insufficient attention to the issues underlying rationales for victim involvement.