NCJ Number
139878
Journal
Justice Research Notes Issue: 1 Dated: (November 1990) Pages: 14-16
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
In 1983, Canada's Department of Justice and the Government of the Yukon Territory jointly analyzed victim- witness needs in the Yukon and established a Victim-Witness Administration Program in 1986 to coordinate victim-witness services.
Abstract
The program was specifically designed to provide services to victims and witnesses before, during, and after trial. Services were to include an explanation of court procedures, notification of trial dates, referral to community resources when long-term counseling was needed, and arrangements for travel and accommodation when witnesses were required to attend trial away from home. The program was evaluated after 3 years of operation by obtaining data from 150 victims and witnesses who had received program services. It appeared that the program was not providing the services originally planned. Only 31 percent of respondents were approached by the program coordinator between trial date and subpoena, although a further 11 percent became aware of the program through other sources. About one-third of the respondents reported they had attended court and then discovered they were not needed. About two-thirds were generally satisfied with their experience in the court process, but this satisfaction was not necessarily attributable to program services. The following recommendations are made for program enhancement: increase public awareness, extend services to more communities, expand post-trial services, and establish a parallel program for victims and witnesses who need indepth counseling.