Criminal Law Library Blog
The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 includes a section requiring restitution for victims of sex crimes. Although “Amy” was videotaped being sexually abused as a child, she has been given awards ranging from the millions to nothing. One judge in Arkansas claimed there was no way to assess and restitution amount, that the victims was not identifiable and that there was no proof of a “causal link” between viewing the images and specific injury to Amy. The government has appealed the case, which could set up a showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court over the conflicting rulings.
Amy’s attorney, James R. Marsh of New York, has been fighting the restitution battle for Amy. “She basically doesn’t have any joy in her life. This is just an awful situation.” “What happened to me hasn’t gone away,” said Amy. “It will never go away.”
Submitted by:
Michael Chernicoff