NCJ Number
106321
Date Published
1986
Length
70 pages
Annotation
This report describes a program model for police victim services training and provision and reports five pilot projects in Canada.
Abstract
The model does not necessitate a new organizational structure because it emphasizes increased police sensitivity to victim needs during the course of normal investigation. Services include giving information, providing crisis management, making referrals, and recontacting victims when appropriate. To enable officers to fulfill these roles, training covers victims' issues and rights, officer behaviors, crisis intervention, noncrisis service delivery, and information about community resources and services. The model calls for a program coordinator and requires liaison between police and other service agencies, as well as referral mechanisms. The five pilot projects attained differing levels of success depending on the existence of other police victim services, type of training, and other environmental factors. Guidelines for successful implementation of the model are provided.