INTEGRATED SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME - A COUNTY-BASED APPROACH

• NCJ Number: 19639
• Author(s): M E BALUSS
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 24 pages
• Contract Number(s): 71-DF-1136; 74-DF-99-0008
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Assoc of Counties (NACo)
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER OUTLINES THE PROBLEMS WHICH CRIME VICTIMS MAY FACE, EXAMINES THE GENERAL COUNTY SERVICES WHICH MAY BE USED TO AID VICTIMS, AND SUMMARIZES EXISTING AND PLANNED INTEGRATED SERVICES PROGRAM FOR CRIME VICTIMS.

Abstract

A BASIS PREMISE OF THIS REPORT IS THAT THE COUNTY STANDS IN A UNIQUELY ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION TO SPONSOR IMPROVEMENTS IN VICTIM SERVICES, SINCE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS OPERATE THE HOSPITALS, MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WHICH CAN BECOME THE MAIN SOURCES OF INTEGRATED VICTIM SERVICES. OTHER ADVANTAGES OF THE COUNTY BASED APPROACH IS THAT COUNTIES ARE CONDUITS FOR STATE UNEMPLOYMENT, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND ARE THE FOCUS FOR CRIMINAL COURT ACTIVITIES. VICTIM SERVICE PROGRAMS FROM THE BRONX, (NY), FORT LAUDERDALE (FL), FRESNO COUNTY (CA), ST. LOUIS (MO), AND SACRAMENTO (CA) ARE DESCRIBED. THE BASIC ELEMENTS AND RESOURCES OF AN INTEGRATED SERVICE PROGRAM FOR VICTIMS ARE OUTLINED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)