Victim Compensation and Support Service in India, USA, and UK

Saquib Ahmed; Bhupinder Singh; Anjali Raghav; Sahil Lal; Manmeet Kaur Arora

Abstract

The victim support and compensation systems in India, the United States, and the United Kingdom are compared in this article. It draws attention to each nation's legal systems and procedures, emphasizing how they meet the needs of victims of crime. Victim compensation programs are well-established in the United States and the United Kingdom, providing both comprehensive financial support and other support services including legal aid and counselling. On the other hand, despite their progress, India's victim compensation programs still face obstacles like uneven funding and low victim knowledge. The paper highlights the necessity for India to bring its policies into compliance with international norms while examining significant variations in the reach and effectiveness of these programs. It also looks at how Indian legal services authorities, including the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), help victims by offering support and compensation. The study concludes with reform suggestions to enhance victim support services in India. In order to guarantee a more victim-centric approach, the report also examines worldwide best practices and the necessity for India to harmonize its regulations with international norms. The main distinctions between these three nations' victim support systems in terms of their reach, efficacy, and scope are examined critically. In order to strengthen India's victim support infrastructure, the study ends with reform recommendations. These include the need for more funding, more efficient administrative procedures, easier access to legal aid, and more awareness-raising campaigns to encourage victims to seek support and justice.