Claiming justice: Victims of crime and their perspectives of justice

Abstract

‘Victims claiming justice’ has surface simplicity but arises in a range of contexts influenced by different histories, facing different institutions offering different possibilities. It is this tremendous range of contexts and characteristics that has engaged researchers. Most have taken the idea of justice as a given. As guest editors of this symposium on justice, we sought to delve into deeper and under-explored dimensions including the interconnection of inequality and justice, the relationship between public and private justice, the interests that victims have in justice, and the interface between social and criminal justice for victims. The contributions are broad in scope and consider different victimization types and contexts, different justice mechanisms and pathways that victims pursue, and extend across domestic and international justice domains. We reflect on intersections and divergences, challenges for the field and opportunities and future directions for research.