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BETTER SERVICES FOR CRIME VICTIMS AND WITNESSES - DRAFT

NCJ Number
47023
Author(s)
J H STEIN
Date Published
1977
Length
221 pages
Annotation
EXISTING VICTIM SERVICES ARE DESCRIBED, AND IMPROVED SERVICES ARE RECOMMENDED IN BOTH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION PHASES OF A VICTIM'S INVOLVEMENT IN A CRIME.
Abstract
THIS STUDY INVOLVED A SEQUENCE OF THREE SURVEYS, TOGETHER WITH AN EXAMINATION OF THE LITERATURE IN THE VICTIM SERVICES FIELD. THE INITIAL SURVEY WAS DESIGNED TO COMPILE A COMPLETE ROSTER OF ALL VICTIM SERVICES PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. A SECOND SURVEY INVOLVED A STRUCTURED TELEPHONE INTERVIEW WITH STAFF MEMBERS OF ALL 72 PROJECTS EXAMINED, WHILE A THIRD SURVEY CONSISTED OF SITE VISITS TO 22 PROJECTS IN 12 CITIES. IT WAS FOUND THAT VICTIM SERVICES CONTRIBUTED TO ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING GOALS: INCREASED ATTENTION PAID TO VICTIMS; SMOOTHER AND MORE COMPREHENSIBLE PASSAGE THROUGH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM; EXPANDED HELPING SERVICES AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS; AND MORE VICTIM PARTICIPATION IN THE JUSTICE PROCESS. THE AREAS IN WHICH PUBLIC SERVICES CAN BE IMPROVED TO BENEFIT BOTH CRIME VICTIMS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL ARE THE OPERATION OF POLICE COMMUNICATION CENTERS, THE MANNER IN WHICH RESPONDING PATROL OFFICERS TREAT CRIME VICTIMS, THE PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO VICTIMS' EMOTIONAL CRISES AND OTHER NEEDS, THE MANNER IN WHICH INVESTIGATORS AND OTHERS TREAT VICTIMS, AND THE PROVISION OF PROTECTION SERVICES TO ENDANGERED WITNESSES. IN OFFERERING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVED VICTIM SERVICES IN THE PROSECUTION PHASE OF A CRIME, SUGGESTIONS ARE PROVIDED REGARDING MORE SENSITIVE HANDLING OF THE VICTIM AS A WITNESS. PROPOSALS ARE ALSO DESCRIBED WHICH ENHANCE THE VICTIM'S ROLE IN PROSECUTION EFFORTS. RECOMMENDATIONS PROMOTING FAIR RECOMPENSE TO VICTIMS AND DELINEATING ALTERNATIVE MODES OF VICTIM PARTICIPATION ARE ALSO PRESENTED. THE APPENDIXES INCLUDE A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY AND AN EXTENSIVE ARRAY OF INFORMATION RELATING TO VICTIM SERVICES, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND THE HANDLING OF STOLEN PROPERTY. (RCB)

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