NCJ Number
44349
Date Published
1977
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE PROGRAM OF VICTIM SERVICES ARE IDENTIFIED AND RELATED TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF ELDERLY VICTIMS OF CRIME.
Abstract
VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAMS CAN BE GUIDED BY TWO DISTINCT GOALS: THE PROVISION OF DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF CRIME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A SUSPECT IS INVOLVED; AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE TREATMENT OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES BY MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. TO PURSUE THESE GOALS, VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAMS CAN PROVIDE CASE PROGRESS INFORMATION, VICTIM ADVOCACY AND CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES, COMMUNITY RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL, PROPERTY RELEASE ASSISTANCE, FINANCIAL RESTITUTION, AND COUNSELING. MANY VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAMS FIND THAT A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF THEIR CLIENTS ARE OVER AGE 60. VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAMS CAN PROVIDE GREATER SUPPORT TO THIS AGE GROUP BY WORKING CLOSELY WITH POLICE DEPARTMENTS, PERHAPS BY RECEIVING ALL REPORTS OF PURSESNATCHINGS, AND PICKPOCKETINGS, ASSAULTS INVOLVING SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY, AND OTHER CRIMES AGAINST ELDERLY PERSONS. PROGRAM STAFF MEMBERS CAN THEN CONTACT THE ELDERLY VICTIM AND OFFER ASSISTANCE. IMMEDIATE CONTACT, CONSTANT REASSURANCE, AND FULL RECOGNITION OF PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS ARE VITAL COMPONENTS OF A VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAM FOR ELDERLY PERSONS. ELDERLY VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN KANSAS CITY, MO., AND IN ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIF., OFFER TWO MODELS FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO ELDERLY VICTIMS. THE KANSAS CITY PROGRAM FOCUSES ON LOCATING ELDERLY VICTIMS OF UNREPORTED CRIME AND ON PROVIDING EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE CALIFORNIA PROGRAM EMPHASIZES REINFORCEMENT OF THE VICTIM'S OWN SUPPORT SYSTEM THROUGH PEER COUNSEING BY ELDERLY PERSONS WHO THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED.