The role of victims in the criminal justice system has become increasingly important in recent years, inspiring much research into victims' experiences and possible reforms. There are numerous factors that influence policy makers in relation to criminal justice system reform, one of which is victims. However, victims, while they can be catalysts for reform as in the case of James Ramage, among others, still play a relatively minor role in influencing political change. The victim-oriented idea of ​​crime prevention holds that most of the victimization that occurs is concentrated around a relatively small percentage of the population and that targeting crime prevention efforts and policies at potential or previous victims can prevent a large amount of crime (Riley and Mayher 1980). In Garland's (2001) investigation he observed that reduced public confidence in the criminal justice system and its ability to reduce crime has led to the treatment of victims playing a more important role in creating reform. In considering victims during criminal trials and the legislative process, the level of efficiency of our system has been critically analyzed and has led to changes in a variety of areas. The development of official definitions of what constitutes victimhood and greater recognition of victims have helped legitimize and validate the criminal justice system. Wemmers (1996) points out that an effective criminal justice system also protects human rights. Victims are gradually being seen as notable holders of such rights leading to revisions in our national system and also by international bodies. The protection of these rights, as in South Africa, where less explicit definitions between "victims" rights and "human" rights are made by political m...... middle of paper ...... involvement of the community in justice and provide on-site support services to victims (Hall 2010, p. 196). Although reforms to prevent crime have been increasingly influenced by victims, they are still widely recognized as neglected parties in the criminal justice system, especially during the prosecution and sentencing of offenders (Strang, Heather, Lawrence W. Sherman 2003) . Policy makers have taken on a much larger role in influencing legislative change in crime prevention and crime victim support, yet victim-based reforms remain largely confined to popular cases and often fail to make it into the mainstream. procedural side of the criminal justice system. Victims have the capacity to serve as catalysts for reform, but their treatment and consideration in the criminal justice system continues to increasingly serve as an indicator of the system's success.