NCJ Number
155267
Date Published
1994
Length
231 pages
Annotation
The Victorian Community Council Against Violence (VCCAV) in Melbourne, Australia, is concerned with the provision of services to crime victims.
Abstract
The VCCAV report provides an overview of victim services to illustrate the range of services provided by various sources, including the Victoria Police, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Community Services, local government, community health centers, community legal centers, and citizen advice bureaus. The report also summarizes responses received by the VCCAV from crime victims. These responses indicate that, while most crime victims manage to find assistance and support from families and friends, many significant issues related to victim support remain. Such issues involve the need for comprehensive and early provision of information in a readily accessible form, more courteous and consistent treatment by the legal profession and courts, more training for legal and medical professions in meeting victim needs, and the effective integration of victim support services. The report covers special problems encountered by people with disabilities who become crime victims, media treatment of crime victims, and main features and principles of victim assistance programs in several countries. A model integrated victim assistance strategy for Victoria is described, and recommendations to improve victim services are offered. Supplemental information on community groups and government departments involved in victim issues and on the VCCAV victim survey are appended. References, tables, and figures