Victim Needs and Services

Origins

During the late 1960s, the federal government launched a series of surveys designed to estimate the number of U.S. crime victims. This research showed that, while arrest rates were high, many victims failed to report crimes. Other studies noted that once an arrest had been made, many victims failed to cooperate in the prosecution of offenders. Victims cited poor treatment by the criminal justice system—long waits for trials, confusing instructions, and inadequate child care and transportation resources—as the reasons for their reluctance to cooperate. The victim assistance movement began shortly thereafter to respond to these needs.

The origins of victim assistance programs can be traced to two sets of interests. One was the interest of law enforcement agencies in increasing victim cooperation in criminal proceedings, thereby boosting conviction rates. These programs worked closely with prosecutors and offered many services, among them notification of court dates, explanations of court proceedings, transportation to court, provision of secure waiting areas in court houses, child care, and assistance in obtaining restitution orders. In contrast to the justice system programs, a grassroots victim movement—composed of former victims and women's rights advocates—was motivated by the conviction that victims should be treated humanely, regardless of whether they reported crimes or cooperated with prosecutors. These programs were often run on minimal budgets, and many relied heavily on volunteer staff. Grassroots administrators believed that victims would benefit more from peer counseling by other victims who had had similar experiences than from cooperating [Page 1664]with law enforcement professionals.

During the 1980s, legislative reforms expanded funding to all victim service programs and minimized the divide between the two movements. The 1984 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) secured federal commitment to victim assistance programs by establishing the national Crime Victims Fund for state and local programs. In 1994 the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) initiated federal support for programs addressing crimes against women. In 1998, VOCA granted $363 million to victim service programs, and VAWA distributed $172 million for services to female victims. Led by Wisconsin in 1980, most states have also enacted victims' bills of rights and created their own funds for victim assistance programs. Although most of the grassroots programs maintained their approach to service delivery, federal dollars encouraged them to develop more cooperative relationships with criminal justice agencies.

Services

While programs vary in the extent of services provided, most offer material and psychological assistance designed to alleviate the adverse affects of crime. This usually begins with crisis intervention, which involves both ensuring physical safety (e.g., protection for victims of domestic violence) and providing emotional support through counseling. In addition to offering psychological assistance, many programs provide material aid in the form of emergency food, shelter, clothing, cash, document replacement, and relocation assistance. Programs also help victims obtain what they need from other social service agencies, such as emergency welfare checks or compensation from state victim crime funds. Many programs also offer assistance for victims in the criminal justice system, including notification, restitution, consultation with court officials, and help completing victim impact statements.

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