NCJ Number
169027
Date Published
1981
Length
54 pages
Annotation
This publication advocates a community-based rather than a systems-based approach to victim-witness assistance programs because community-based approaches are usually more flexible and open to the use of volunteers.
Abstract
Recognizing that volunteers can perform many services and functions of paid staff and frequently offer their services because of genuine concern for crime victims and witnesses, a multimedia kit known as Community Involvement in Victim Assistance (CIVA) was developed to help communities plan and operate their own victim-witness assistance programs. CIVA is designed to motivate and guide communities in program development, fund-raising, and volunteer utilization. The CIVA kit contains three units: (1) problems and needs of crime victims and witnesses; (2) how to organize a victim-witness assistance program; and (3) budget preparation and fund-raising. The CIVA kit also includes a videotape presentation and a slide/cassette show, as well as a resource listing and a glossary. Tables and forms