Victim Support: Effects of Victimization, Need of Support and Care by the Police and Referral to Victim Assistance by the Police, Based on a Further Analysis of the Police Monitor 1993

• NCJ Number: 156084
• Author(s): M Visser; T van Dijk; A W M Eijken
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 33 pages
• Sale Source: Postbus 20301
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

A summary of victimization in The Netherlands is provided based on the Police Monitor Survey of 1993 in which 52,000 Dutch citizens were questioned on the effects, needs of care and support, and the police involvement in victim services and support programs.

Abstract

Effects of victimization were found to include financial damage, mostly from car theft; bodily harm; and emotional problems. Almost three-quarters of victims had no insurance compensation, and 20 percent experienced emotional problems. Victims benefited from police support, especially for victims of assault, threat, burglary, violent robbery, and car theft; female victims and those who feel unsafe need even more police support. And insurance companies often require a signed police report for compensation. The most important motives for reporting a crime to the police were tracing the offender and a sense of duty. Overall, most victims were satisfied with police support, although it appears that only one in five citizens were given information by police on available victim support services. It is important that police, victim assistance bureaus, public prosecutor, social workers and others know what type of help and support police can offer to victims.