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The saying still applies today, even though there has been some progress in recent years to improve the treatment of victims in the criminal justice system. For example, many jurisdictions now have victim-witness assistance programs that provide support to victims throughout the criminal justice process. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the needs of victims are met.

Here are some examples of how victims can be forgotten in the criminal justice system:

• Victims may not be informed about the progress of their case or about their rights.
• Victims may not be consulted about plea bargains or sentencing decisions.
• Victims may be subjected to secondary victimization, such as being harassed or intimidated by the accused or their supporters.
• Victims may not receive the emotional support or financial assistance they need.

There are a number of things that can be done to improve the treatment of victims in the criminal justice system. These include:

• Training criminal justice professionals on the needs of victims.
• Providing more support services to victims, such as counseling and financial assistance.
• Giving victims a greater voice in the criminal justice process.
• Holding offenders accountable for their crimes, including making restitution to victims.

By taking these steps, we can make the criminal justice system more responsive to the needs of victims and ensure that they are not forgotten.