AID TO VICTIMS AND WITNESSES - A PROBATION DEPARTMENT'S SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM

• NCJ Number: 52399
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1977) Pages: 3-6
• Author(s): D HELBUSH; D MANDEL
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts; Federal Prison Industries, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIF., AID TO VICTIMS AND WITNESSES PROGRAM PRESENTS GUIDELINES FOR SIMILAR LOCAL PROGRAMS AND CONSIDERS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM'S DISREGARD OF THE NEEDS OF VIOLENT CRIME VICTIMS.

Abstract

THE AID TO VICTIMS AND WITNESSES AGENCY RECEIVES REFERRALS OF VIOLENT CRIME VICTIMS DIRECTLY FROM THE POLICE, FROM EMERGENCY HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES, OR FROM FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS OF VICTIMS. THE VOLUNTEER-STAFFED AGENCY, WHICH IS BASED IN THE SAN MATEO COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT, RUNS A 24-HOUR SWITCHBOARD 6 DAYS A WEEK. POLICE OFFICERS AT CRIME SCENES PROVIDE VICTIMS WITH A WRITTEN NOTICE DESCRIBING THE SERVICE AND NOTIFYING THEM OF THEIR RIGHTS TO APPLY FOR STATE VICTIM COMPENSATION. THE AGENCY WILL GIVE REFERRED VICTIMS EMERGENGY CASH, GROCERIES, HOMEMAKING TRANSPORTATION, AND CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE, INTERPRETATION ASSISTANCE, AND CRISIS COUNSELING, AND WILL SEE THAT VICTIMS ARE CONTACTED BY INTERESTED, SUPPORTIVE PERSONS. VOLUNTEERS RESTORE AND CLEAN DAMAGED PROPERTY, ARRANGE FUNERALS FOR DECEASED VICTIMS, AND CONTACT VICTIMS' CREDITORS TO ARRANGE POSTPONEMENT OF DEBTS. VICTIMS CAN ALSO RECEIVE HELP IN APPLYING FOR STATE COMPENSATION FUNDS. CRIME WITNESSES WILL RECIEVE LETTERS FROM THE AGENCY EXPLAINING WHY THEIR SERVICES AS WITNESSES ARE NECESSARY, MAPS DIRECTING THEM TO THE LOCAL COURTHOUSE AND PARKING AREAS, AND HELP FROM A WITNESS GUIDE WHEN THEY GO TO COURT. THESE GUIDELINES ARE PRESENTED FOR LOCAL, COMMUNITY-BASED VICTIM AND WITNESSES ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: (1) THE PROGRAM SHOULD HELP ALL CRIME VICTIMS, (2) BE SPONSORED BY ALL THE LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, (3) BE STAFFED BY VOLUNTEERS, AND (4) BE LOCAL AND PROVIDE IMMEDIATE AND PERSONAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS. A PROBATION DEPARTMENT-BASED PROGRAM HAS CERTAIN ADVANTAGES, SUCH AS ACCESS TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION AND FAMILIARITY WITH LOCAL SERVICES AND RESOURCES, BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR A PROGRAM TO BE PROBATION BASED. (DAG)