NCJ Number
169619
Date Published
1997
Length
104 pages
Annotation
Three versions of a victim needs assessment research instrument, designed to measure client satisfaction and identify possible service gaps, were developed and successfully tested at pilot sites for each of three major types of victim agencies identified: the traditional victim/witness unit (police department); the grassroots community-based victim program; and the domestic violence/sexual assault program.
Abstract
All of the agencies involved were in Nebraska. The response rates in testing the mail survey methodology exceeded or were near the expected target of 20 percent, the return necessary to produce useful information for the agencies in the areas of client contacts, service provision, perception of staff, support groups/referrals, victimizations, and demographic characteristics of victims. Results from the mail surveys were inadequate for the purposes of external evaluation of agency performance or service provision, however, due to the high percentage of nonrespondents. Mail-survey response rates can likely be improved through more intensive follow-up procedures. The client survey instruments can be further refined as internal feedback mechanisms for victim agencies, or they may be developed into external service- provision evaluation tools to measure victim needs and agency performance. The field studies showed that existing case- management practices and policies hampered research/evaluation efforts at all three pilot sites. Improvements in case management, such as the use of standardized client intake forms and computerized client file systems, would likely result in increased efficiency and improved service provision at all three pilot sites. Such improvement could also facilitate the use of more precise and cost-effective research methods. The questionnaire and response data are included.