Efforts to Prevent Revictimization in the Criminal Justice System through a Victim-Oriented Justice Approach

Abstract

Sexual violence is a criminal act that not only causes physical, psychological, sexual, social and economic losses, but can also place victims in repeated experiences of suffering when dealing with the criminal justice system. Repeated examinations, cornering questions, doubts about the victim's statement, disclosure of identity, gender stereotypes, victim blaming, and judicial procedures that are not sensitive to the victim's needs are forms of secondary victimization that can aggravate the victim's suffering. This article aims to analyze efforts to prevent repeated victimization of victims of sexual violence through a victim-oriented justice approach. The research uses normative juridical methods with statutory, conceptual and victimological approaches. The research results show that preventing repeat victimization requires a change in the orientation of the criminal justice system from an approach that is solely centered on perpetrators and evidence to a system that places safety, dignity, recovery, participation and the needs of victims as an integral part of the law enforcement process. Strengthening victim protection at the stages of investigation, prosecution, trial, providing restitution, assistance, identity protection, as well as inter-agency coordination are important instruments for building a criminal justice system that is responsive to victims.