NCJ Number
188514
Date Published
December 2002
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This videotape discusses services for crime victims with disabilities.
Abstract
There is a high number of disabled crime victims, yet there is a large amount of under-reporting of crimes against disabled persons. Social services and criminal justice agencies need to take steps to accommodate these victims. Disabled people cannot be lumped together; their needs are very different. There are developmental disabilities, which have early onset. Then there are disabilities due to accident or illness. Some victims, such as those with mental disabilities, may be unaware that victimization has occurred. A victim advocate for the disabled helps the victim through the trial, which may be emotionally difficult. Communication skills require talking slower and giving the victim some quiet space. Services need to be implemented with these special circumstances in mind. During an investigation, a deaf person needs to have an interpreter to convey what is happening. Deaf people have their own language and different cultural rules. Programs for disabled crime victims need to work along with hearing agencies toward the same goal: serving victims. Disabled victims need to know about these services and have access to them. It is suggested that agencies learn about the different disabilities, hire a deaf consultant with advocacy experience, design a plan, listen to people that have been victimized, and have a commitment to find a solution to the problems encountering special needs agencies.