Efficacy of Victim Services Programs: Alleviating the Psychological Suffering of Crime Victims?

• NCJ Number: 216406
• Journal: Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2006 Pages: 387-406
• Author(s): Barbara Sims; Berwood Yost; Christina Abbott
• Date Published: December 2006
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the extent to which victim programming improved the psychological functioning of crime victims.

Abstract

The findings revealed no significant difference between those who received victim services and those who did not in terms of psychological functioning. The analysis indicated that increasing coping skills and age were the best predictors of psychological functioning following crime victimization. More specifically, the findings mean that individuals with certain personality characteristics such as high self-esteem, a sense of being in control in their lives, and who hold positive attitudes about themselves are more likely to function better psychologically following crime victimization. Having a strong social support network was not related to the psychological functioning of the victims. The findings suggest that the overall goals of victim service programs should be revisited and should include a focus on building coping skills and self-esteem. Phase 1 of this study involved conducting an inventory and comparison of victim services programs in Pennsylvania, which generated 223 victim respondents who participated in victim service programs. Phase 2 of the study involved the creation and implementation of a statewide, random telephone survey of 437 victims who did not participate in victim service programs. Both groups of participants (victims who did seek victim services versus victims who did not seek victim services) completed questionnaires that probed characteristics of the crime event and victim, victim service program use, social services use, individual coping mechanisms, and psychological functioning. Data analysis involved the calculation of bivariate correlations and linear regressions. Limitations of the study are discussed and include a lack of evaluation of the victim service programs providing support. Tables, references