NCJ Number
52340
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (1975) Pages: 263-269
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE BRISTOL (ENGLAND) VICTIMS SUPPORT SCHEME, WHICH USED VOLUNTEERS TO VISIT CRIME VICTIMS TO PROVIDE COUNSELING AND AID, IS DESCRIBED. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PERMANENT PROGRAM ARE MADE.
Abstract
THE PILOT PROJECT WAS CONDUCTED IN AN AREA OF SOUTH BRISTOL WHICH CONTAINED A CROSS-SECTION OF URBAN SOCIETY. EVERY MORNING THE PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR CONTACTED THE POLICE TO OBTAIN A LIST OF ALL PERSONS VICTIMIZED WIHTIN THE PREVIOUS 24 HOURS. INITIALLY EIGHT VOLUNTEERS WERE TRAINED TO AID THESE VICTIMS. HOWEVER, THE CASELOAD GREW SO RAPIDLY THAT MORE VOLUNTEERS HAD TO BE TRAINED. DURING THE PILOT PERIOD, JANUARY 1 TO JUNE 30, 1974, ABOUT 926 VICTIMS WERE IDENTIFIED (ABOUT TWICE THE EXPECTED FIGURE). OF THESE 446 WERE VISITED, 315 CONTACTS WERE SUCCESSFUL, AND A VARIETY OF SERVICES WERE RENDERED. EACH CASE WAS FULLY DOCUMENTED. ANALYSIS OF THE REPORTING SHEETS SHOWED THAT WOMEN WERE SGNIFICANTLY MORE LIKELY TO BE DISTURBED BY THE CRIME THAN MEN, THOSE WHO LOST RELATIVELY LARGE SUMS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE UPSET; AND THOSE WHO HAD SUFFERED PREVIOUS LOSS FROM CRIME WERE MORE VULNERABLE. VICTIMS LIVING ALONE AND ELDERLY VICTIMS WERE ALSO LIKELY TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED. A SERIES OF TABLES PRESENT THESE ANALYSES. THE VOLUNTEERS RECEIVED ONLY FIVE HOSTILE RESPONSES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A PERMANENT PROJECT BE SET UP TO CONCENTRATE ON THOSE GROUPS MOST LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY A CRIME: THE ELDERLY, THOSE LIVING ALONE, THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED PREVIOUS LOSS, AND WOMEN. CASE STUDIES ILLUSTRATE THE TYPES OF AID OFFERED. THE REPORT FORM IS APPENDED. (GLR)