NCJ Number
77665
Date Published
Unknown
Length
92 pages
Annotation
The organization and operation, staffing and training, and evaluation design are described for a victim assistance project for the elderly, sponsored by the Northside Community Mental Health Center in Tampa, Fla.
Abstract
The Victim Assistance for Older Adults Program uses Neighborhood Liaison Workers (NLWs), who are themselves elderly and residents of the victim's neighborhood, to provide a host of social and community services to assist the victim in returning to his/her previctimization state. The assistance is provided in the victim's home at no cost to the client. The types of services offered include crime prevention information and education; crisis intervention counseling; assistance in replacing critical items (glasses, hearing aids, etc.); assistance in replacing stolen papers, credit cards, social security checks, etc.; and helping the victim to obtain health services. NLW's also serve as victim advocates to increase the elderly's crime reporting and participation in the criminal justice system. Formal evaluation is presently being conducted with a sample of victims who have received or rejected project services. Preliminary findings, which are generally favorable to the project, are appended. Photographic and graphic illustrations are provided, along with 22 references. (Author abstract modified)