NCJ Number
133346
Date Published
1991
Length
36 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overview of five evaluation studies of Dutch police victim assistance projects.
Abstract
Some of these projects provide crime prevention advice with a focus on domestic burglary. The evaluations found that victims' need for assistance and preventive advice, the police provision of assistance and advice, and the follow-up activities by the victim are determined by offense seriousness, victim personal characteristics, the victim's social environment, officer personal characteristics, and the officer's social environment. Police attitudes toward victim assistance and preventive advice are favorable, although they view these duties as difficult, particularly the task of dealing with victims' emotions. Police view victim services as most important when the offense is serious. Officers view management support as essential, since victim assistance requires time that might otherwise be spent on investigation. Police victim services have a positive impact on victim attitudes toward prevention and preventive behavior; however, anxiety about crime does not decrease due to police assistance. Victim anxiety about police investigative procedures is relieved by police victim services. The shock of being burglarized is also mitigated by these services. The evaluations conclude that no standard prescription for effective victim assistance and preventive advice can be given, since approaches must be adapted to the feelings, knowledge, and limitations of the victim. 11 figures and 19 references (Author abstract modified)