VICTIMOLOGY AND GLOBAL COMPARISON: INDIA, SOUTH KOREA, AND UNITED STATES

AUTHOR – KANISHKA CHOUDHARY, STUDENT AT RAJASTHAN SCHOOL OF LAW FOR WOMEN

BEST CITATION – KANISHKA CHOUDHARY, VICTIMOLOGY AND GLOBAL COMPARISON: INDIA, SOUTH KOREA, AND UNITED STATES, ILE LAW REPORTER (ILE LRE), 1 (1) of 2023, Pg. 25-32, APIS – 3920 – 0043 | ISBN – 978-81-964391-3-2.

ABSTRACT

India’s approach to victimology requires a multi-pronged strategy, including stricter enforcement of existing laws, comprehensive support services for victims, public awareness campaigns, education initiatives, training for law enforcement and judicial officials, and the establishment of specialized units within the criminal justice system. This approach should focus on recognizing victims of various crimes, minimizing victim-blaming and discrimination, and promoting empathy, understanding, and respect for victims. India’s criminal procedural laws facilitate victims to be assisted and protected by the government criminal justice machinery in cognizable and non-cognizable cases. However, it is crucial to consider the limitations of the common law model of justice and adopt a victim-oriented approach to policing. This would involve involving victims at different stages of the criminal justice process, minimizing victim-blaming and discrimination, and ensuring access to justice and reparations for victims. The United Nations recognizes the importance of victimology and emphasizes the need to prioritize victims’ rights and needs within criminal justice systems. Countries like India and South Korea should align their policies and practices with international standards and frameworks provided by the United Nations. This includes implementing victim-oriented approaches that focus on protecting and supporting victims, promoting their participation in the justice process, and ensuring access to justice and reparations for victims. In South Korea, culturally specific programs that educate bystanders on the signs of domestic violence and empower them to intervene and support victims are essential steps towards effectively addressing domestic violence. These programs should provide bystanders with the necessary knowledge and skills to detect violence, report incidents to formal bodies, provide support to victims, and protect them from further harm.However, the prevalence rates of intimate partner violence among South Koreans are still higher than in many other developed and developing countries. Cultural attitudes and beliefs surrounding domestic violence contribute to a victim-blaming culture that hinders victims from seeking outside help. To address the issue of domestic violence in South Korea more effectively, it is imperative to implement culturally specific programs that educate bystanders on how to detect and intervene in situations of violence.

KEY WORDS : South Korea, United Nations, India, IPV, victims, domestic violence, gender-based violence.