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Victim Impact Classes/Panels for Offenders: Training Seminar; Teacher's Manual

NCJ Number
177605
Author(s)
K. Lowe; R. Sobieski; J. Lord
Date Published
1998
Length
566 pages
Annotation
This teacher's manual provides information and resources for teachers to use in training seminars in which offenders who have committed various offenses become aware of the harm that their offenses have caused to the victims.
Abstract
The offenses addressed are property crime, drug offenses, violent crime, domestic violence, crimes against the elderly, child maltreatment, assault, sexual assault, robbery, drunk driving death and injury, homicide, and victims of gang violence. Each chapter in the manual is devoted to one of these offenses. The curriculum is designed so that both juvenile and adult offenders will accept responsibility for past criminal actions; understand the impact of crime on victims; develop personal safety skills with a focus on crime prevention; learn how to bond with positive, healthy people; and contribute to their communities in a way that will prevent future victimization. Teaching methods recommended include short reading assignments, large and small group discussion, written exercises, videos, and case examples. Interactive training techniques are described, and steps are outlined for preparing and teaching the program. For each chapter, the teacher's manual parallels the format of the student manual. The sections encompass vocabulary pertinent to chapter content, lesson objectives, a victimization scenario to analyze, a problem-solving exercise, and accountability issues. The teacher is given information and guidelines pertinent to achieving effective class participation for each chapter section. 23-item annotated bibliography