Victims of crime are poorly understood. Helping institutions often have counterintuitive, even potentially harmful, impacts. Support services are generally little known, poorly funded, and limited in scope — all of which perpetuates the powerless role of the victim in the criminal justice system.
J. Scott Kenney unpacks the systemic problems that are so common among victims. With emphasis on victims' lived experiences and extensive first hand accounts, Kenney pairs excerpts from the press, legal documents, and other relevant material to contextualize each voice.

J. Scott Kenney is an associate professor of sociology at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He completed his B.A. (1984) and LL.B. (1987) at Dalhousie University. After practising law, he earned his M.A. (1993) and Ph.D. (1999) at McMaster University. He conducted SSHRC Postdoctoral research at Dalhousie (1999–2000) and taught at St. Mary’s University (2001–2004) before taking up his current appointment.

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"This book fits the bill for a number of stand alone undergraduate courses in Criminology and Sociology. Taking a critical analysis of key issues facing victims is most welcome. The historical analysis inherent in the book provides a good backdrop for the chapters to unfold.— “Susan Reid, Criminology and Criminal Justice Department, St. Thomas University