Bilby

Many people have lobbied the state government for decades (Australia) regarding increasing penalties for violent crime and for legal reform generally. Basically, the adversarial system is not empathetic towards the victim. This is understandable to a degree, considering that the system is run by defence barristers, but there must be other factors as well. Most Australians for instance, are very much pro the victim, but there is a smaller but equally passionate group who seem to be pro leniency, and the offender in general. They are quite disparaging towards the victim. Has anyone here studied enough psychology to understand the motivating factors why a person would lack empathy for the victim, but sympathise almost exclusively with the perpetrator? I would imagine violent criminals, particularly in crimes against women, would more than likely lack empathy generally, and there could also be misogynistic elements as well. Does this explain why the system is so resistant to change? All of the judges, lawyers, legislators simply lack empathy for the victim? Are they all basically misogynistic? Any comments appreciated.