Unit 12

Victims of Crime

Crime affects us all, but victims suffer most. Victims of crime can be found among all segments of society, young and old, black and white, rich and poor. Each year millions of people are victimized by crime. Chances are great that you may someday be a victim of crime.

In recent years, public interest in aiding the victim has grown. Most states now have victim assistance programs. These programs provide victims with counseling, medical care and other rights and benefits. Most states also have victim compensation laws. These laws provide financial help for victims - paying medical bills, making up lost salary, and in some cases paying funeral costs and death benefits to victims’ families. In addition, courts sometimes order restitution. This means requiring criminals to pay back or otherwise compensate the victim of their crime. Some useful tips.

• Beware of high crime areas. Dark, deserted streets, parking lots, garages, and bus stops are all high crime areas.

• Whenever possible, have someone with you at night and in high-risk areas.

• Don’t flash money in public.

• When on vacation, cancel the newspaper. Have a neighbor collect the mail. Consider using a timer to turn lights on at night.

If You Become a Victim

If you are ever a victim of a crime, remember that your safety comes first. Most burglars and robbers will flee if they can, so don’t try to stop them.

More important, don’t resist. You might get injured or killed. If you are held up on the street, scream, make noise, or carry a whistle and blow it. If you can’t run away, sit down so you won’t get knocked down. Most important, call the police immediately. Don’t wait! The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the criminal will get away.

Most burglaries occur when no one is at home. But if you ever arrive at home and suspect a burglar is inside, don’t go in. Go to a neighbor’s home and call the police immediately!

Recognition Vocabulary

nouns	verbs	adjectives
victim - потерпевший, жертва teenager - подросток target - цель, мишень rape - насилие (сексуальное) robbery - грабеж assault - нападение robber - грабитель burglar - вор-взломщик retailer - розничный торговец benefit - пособие funeral - похороны restitution - компенсация salary - жалованье ambulance - скорая помощь consumer fraud - обман покупателей, клиентов safety - безопасность complaint - жалоба well-being - благополучие	make up (made) - компенсировать, возмещать reduce - сокращать worry - беспокоить(ся) flash (money) - демонстрировать (о деньгах, ценностях) to occur - случаться snatch - вырвать из рук hurt - ранить, повредить testify - давать свидетельские показания prevent - предотвращать, предупреждать protect - охранять, обезопасить aid - помогать submit - подавать (о документе), представлять на рассмотрение beware - остерегаться injure - повреждать, калечить victimize - преследовать provide - снабжать, обеспечивать	suspicious - подозрительный divorced - разведенный(ая) deserted - пустынный, безлюдный calm - спокойный
word-combinations segments of society - слои общества victim assistance program - программа помощи пострадавшим medical care - медицинские услуги to submit victim impact statement to the court - представлять в суд заявление пострадавшего facial description - описание внешности