Final Report of the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime

Governments should enact legislation ensuring that victims’ and witnesses’ addresses not be made public (or available to the defense) unless the court presents a clear need. Hearsay should be made admissible in preliminary hearings so that victims need not testify in person. Other suggested laws would tighten bail restrictions, abolish the exclusionary rule as it applies to fourth amendment issues, and expand employee assistance programs for crime victims. Police departments should develop training programs that emphasize victims’ needs and establish procedures that inform victims of the status of investigations, a major concern. Prosecutors should be ultimately responsible for informing victims of the status of their cases; judges should allow victim input at sentencing, establish separate waiting rooms for prosecution and defense witnesses, and order restitution in cases involving financial loss. Parole boards should also keep victims informed of hearing dates and allow victims to testify. The report also reviews the many ways private agencies can help victims, including psychological treatment, spiritual guidance, and referral services. It proposes that the sixth amendment to the Constitution be amended to allow victims “to be present and to be heard at all critical stages of judicial proceedings.” Appendixes include the study methodology, a description of model victim/witness units, reference notes, and a list of witnesses at Task Force hearings.