Abstract:
The research titled "Guideline for developing criminal justice system to support the protection for victims of rape cases" aims to study the problems in the treatment of victims during rape case proceedings in Thailand and explore ways to improve the criminal justice process to better protect victims of rape in the country. This research employs qualitative methods, using in-depth interviews with 10 key informants, including personnel in the criminal justice system, multidisciplinary professionals involved in the justice process, civil society networks, and legal and justice scholars, as well as documentary research. The findings reveal that the problems in handling victims during rape case proceedings in Thailand stem from five main areas: 1)the victims situation, 2)societal issues, 3)legal concerns, 4)the justice process, and 5)rights protection. The research also found that the current criminal justice process does not adequately protect the rights of victims in rape cases. Therefore, the process should be improved by emphasizing the rights of rape victims more clearly, ensuring legal provisions specifically protecting these victims, enhancing coordination between agencies within the justice system to eliminate redundant steps, and creating educational materials for staff in the justice system. These measures would help to ensure that rape victims are treated appropriately, reduce their re-victimization, and encourage their cooperation with the justice process to ensure the perpetrator is appropriately penalized in accordance with the law.