This book investigates the complex role of victims within the International Criminal Court and the systemic mechanisms that lead to a 'blame cascade' during legal proceedings. Prof. Leila Ullrich, a scholar in international criminal law and criminology, utilizes extensive field research and institutional analysis to examine how the court's reliance on victim participation can inadvertently shift accountability and complicate the pursuit of justice. The work argues that the structural demands of international tribunals often prioritize procedural efficiency over the lived realities of those they intend to serve.

Experts in international law and criminology recognize this text as a rigorous examination of the practical limitations of global justice institutions. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational resource for scholars studying the intersection of human rights and criminal procedure.