Respecting Diversity: Responding to Underserved Victims of Crime (From National Victim Assistance Academy, P 8.1 - 8.17, 2000, Anne Seymour, Morna Murray, eds. et al., -- See NCJ 184052)

• NCJ Number: 184065
• Author(s): Brian Ogawa; Aurelia S. Belle
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 17 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; OVC Resource Ctr
• Publication Series: OVC Others
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter examines issues involved in responding to underserved victims of crime.

Abstract

The racial and ethnic diversity of the United States has changed considerably in the last few decades. An increasing proportion of Latino, Asian, and African-Americans have integrated with the European-American population. This transition brings new challenges for victim assistance professionals. Recognizing and respecting individual cultural differences is important to sensitive and effective work with crime victims. In addition, differences in concepts of suffering and healing can influence how a victim may experience the effects of victimization and the process of recovery. The term “culture” can reasonably be applied to various demographic categories, reflecting differences by age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and geographic region. Each group has its particular self-identity, lifestyle and ways of meeting the traumas and triumphs of life. For this chapter, “culture” represents race and ethnicity. The chapter discusses the vast array of cultural differences among the people of the U.S., basic principles of culturally proficient and culturally sensitive interaction with crime victims and specific practices and considerations that will help victim assistance professionals provide appropriate services to crime victims of various cultures. Figure, references