NCJ Number
72762
Journal
Victimology Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (1980) Pages: 30-41
Date Published
1980
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This LEAA-funded research examined the issue of program visibility from three perspectives: that of State victim compensation program administrators; that of law enforcement agencies; and that of local victim assistance programs.
Abstract
Obstacles to State victim compensation programs are found in the lack of a specific legislative mandate on the responsibility of program officials for public outreach and in lack of funding. Strategies designed to increase program visibility vary widely and include activities from mailing brochures to public agencies to establishing complex liaison systems with law enforcement agencies. In the area of law enforcement, 9 of the 27 statewide programs now in existence have a statutory requirement mandating police to inform victims of the program's existence and their potential right to benefits. Victim assistance projects such as the Senior Citizen Anti-Crime Network in New York City, often cooperate closely with the police in order to obtain the names of injured victims. It is concluded that no inherent obstacles limit a State's capacity to increase program visibility. Further, the adoption by nine States of a mechanism that levies a small fine on the offender helps offset inevitable funding limitations. Thirteen references are included.