VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - EXPERIMENTAL ACTION PROGRAM

• NCJ Number: 32424
• Author(s): E B CROFT; G THOMAS
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 52 pages
• Grant Number(s): 74-NI-02-0002
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: University of Rochester
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS DOCUMENT OUTLINES THE OBJECTIVES, PROGRAM COMPONENTS, ANTICIPATED RESULTS AND BENEFITS, OPERATIONS, AND EVALUATION PLANS FOR THIS PROPOSED VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

Abstract

THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS AN ACTION PROJECT DEVELOPED BY THE ROCHESTER-MONROE COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PILOT CITY PROGRAM IN COOPERATION WITH THE ROCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE COURTS AND COURT-RELATED AGENCIES. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT ARE: (1) TO DECREASE THE ALIENATION OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY PROVIDING THEM WITH IMPROVED, COORDINATED, AND NEW SERVICES TAILORED TO REMEDY THE MAJOR PROBLEMS THEY HAVE WITH THE SYSTEM, AND (2) TO INCREASE THE PROPORTION OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES ASSISTING IN THE PROSECUTION OF CASES. THE POLICE, WHO HAVE THE FIRST AND MOST SUSTAINED CONTACT WITH VICTIMS AND WITNESSES, WILL ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM, WITH INPUT AND PARTICIPATION FROM OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES AND CITIZENS. CIVILIANS WILL STAFF THE PROGRAM. SERVICES TO BE RENDERED BY THE PROGRAM INCLUDE OPERATION OF A CENTRAL INFORMATION CENTER FOR VICTIMS, PROVISION OF REFERRAL SERVICES BETWEEN VICTIMS AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES, PROVISION OF DIRECT SERVICES TO VICTIMS ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS, ORIENTATION OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE COURT, AND PROVISION OF FEEDBACK INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF VICTIMS' CASES. OTHER INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE A SMALL, IN DEPTH, SURVEY OF VICTIMS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE DATA PINPOINTING THE SERVICES NECESSARY TO DECREASE THE VICTIM'S ALIENATION FROM THE SYSTEM AND INCREASE HIS PARTICIPATION IN ASSISTING IN PROSECUTION. ALSO, POLICE OFFICERS OF THE ROCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS OTHER RELATED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PERSONNEL WILL PARTICIPATE IN A SHORT, INTENSIVE TRAINING SESSION DESIGNED TO IMPROVE SENSITIVITY AND RESPONSE TO VICTIMS AND WITNESSES. THE TRAINING WILL ADDRESS SUCH AREAS AS INITIAL APPROACHES TO VICTIMS, HOW TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS WITH SENSITIVITY WHILE STILL GATHERING NECESSARY INFORMATION, AND HOW TO ASSIST A VICTIM OR WITNESS WITH HIS CONCERNS AND FEARS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)