Richard Wright analyzes the current state of violence in America, the criminal justice systems response, and the experiences of survivors in the aftermath of a violent crime. Despite decades of advocacy, change, and research, our policy responses embedded with historic and systemic values which rank victims and survivors not based on their trauma and loss, but by race, social status, gender, location, and age, remain quite flawed. Keeping the big picture in mind, Wright analyzes the unintended consequences of current, well-meaning policies, critiques the victim hierarchy, and sheds light on why American responses to the needs of violent crime victims have accrued a more failures than successes.

Richard G. Wright is professor of criminal justice at Bridgewater State University.

Chapter 1: American Violence

Chapter 2: The Primary American Response to Violence: Incarceration& Punishment

Chapter 3: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: The Victim Impact Statement

Chapter 4: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: Victim Compensation

Chapter 5: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: Gun Violence Victims

Chapter 6: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Chapter 7: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: The Activist Victim and Crime Policy

Chapter 8: An Alternative: An American Truth and Reconciliation Commission?