NCJ Number
115276
Date Published
1988
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This report on phase I of an evaluation of Virginia's victim-witness programs is primarily a description of the grant programs and a presentation and analysis of the data submitted by these programs in their quarterly reports of fiscal year 1987.
Abstract
The 25 grant programs are part of a wide range of initiatives undertaken by the State to assist crime victims. The programs perform three basic functions: counseling, referrals for counseling, or referrals to social services; notification of victims about victims' compensation and assistance in applying for such compensation; and assistance for victims in dealing with the complexities of the criminal justice system. The programs serve 'generic-service' clients (victims, witnesses, and other citizens seeking victim information or routine contact related to case scheduling) and 'direct-service' clients (victims who require the direct provision of services to help alleviate problems arising from the commission of a particular crime). The data reported from the quarterly report encompass the demographic characteristics of direct-service victims, types of crimes experienced by the direct-service victims, a count of the various services provided, sources of program referrals, and whether the victims' cases have been reported or prosecuted. Other data pertain to the number of paid and volunteer staff hours expended in client services and the number of hours of training either received or presented by the victim-witness staff. 14 tables, 2 figures, appended supplementary data.