NCJ Number
223965
Date Published
October 2008
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This bulletin provides a snapshot of the scope and dynamics of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Promising Projects grant to improve the local response of criminal justice personnel and victim service providers to people with disabilities.
Abstract
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) began efforts to raise awareness about the victimization of persons with disabilities by funding the National Organization for Victim Assistance's Working with Crime Victims with Disabilities project, one of the first national scope initiatives to focus exclusively on the issues associated with crime victims with disabilities. Then, in 2002, OVC funded Promising Practices in Serving Crime Victims with Disabilities, known as Promising Practices, a project to improve the local response of criminal justice personnel and victim service providers to people with disabilities. SafePlace of Austin, Texas, which provides emergency shelter and services to women, children, and men who are survivors of domestic, sexual, or caregiver abuse, was chosen to administer the project and monitor the work of 10 subgrantees. The overall goal of this national demonstration project was to promote innovative practices, principles, and community partnerships that would strengthen the ability of victim assistance organizations to provide accessible and relevant services to crime victims with a wide range of disabilities. Following a comprehensive overview of the problem related to crime victims with disabilities and the planning and implementation of the OVC demonstration project, which includes building a collaborative approach, conducting a needs assessment, strategic planning, targeting three core areas, evaluating the project, and planning for sustainability, recommendations for other organizations that want to improve access to needed support services for crime victims with disabilities are outlined.