NCJ Number
144523
Editor(s)
Kathryn Barnier
Date Published
1992
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This videotape contains five film segments that present the perspectives of police officers and victims on the effects of victimization and the role of police officers in communicating with victims and serving them after the discovery or reporting of a crime.
Abstract
The first part focuses on the role of patrol officers who encounter victims of burglary or robbery. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing the victim, giving attention, offering kind words, and educating victims about how to avoid future victimization. The second segment focuses on spouse abuse and emphasizes that victims may not respond in a logical way, that police should not accept the situation as it appears, and that police should probe more deeply. This film also depicts scenes of victim support groups and notes that police often are unaware of how their service affect victims positively. The third part focuses on sexual assault and emphasizes the need to avoid blaming the victim, to demonstrate concern, and to listen to the victim. The fourth segment focuses on how to detect abuse of elderly persons, suggests interview techniques, and recommends careful documentation of the situation. The fifth segment depicts victimization though theft and a hate crime, emphasizes that anyone can become a crime victim, and recommends that police handle each crime as though their mothers were the victims.