NCJ Number
98346
Date Published
1983
Length
177 pages
Annotation
The purpose of the exploratory study was to collect various kinds of information which could be used by all the criminal justice and social service agencies concerned with victims and witnesses of crime in Saskatoon, Canada.
Abstract
Prior to data collection, a brief review of the objectives, methodologies, and results of a wide variety of Canadian, victim-related studies was undertaken. Student interviewers were assigned, one to each of three general groups of respondents: police, prosecutors, and community agencies. The same basic format was used for all three target groups, with modifications made only when necessary to make the questions relevant, or to gain information specific only to the particular group being studied. The police respondents were not randomly sampled, but were chosen to ensure cooperation and interest in talking about victims. Seven out of nine crown prosecutors were interviewed; however, the interviewers were successful in interviewing only three judges. Methodology for interviewing community agencies focused on an interview with one paid staff member and volunteers. Questions administered to police departments focused on the role of the police with regard to types of victims such as children, ethnic minorities, the mentally ill, women, the elderly, and the physically handicapped. Context-related questions focused on victims of breaking and entering, rape, domestic violence and assault, traffic accidents, suicide, sudden death, and murder. Questions directed towards prosecutors and judges focused on the sharing of information. Questions directed to social service agencies included descriptions of the services provided for victims. Data analysis results were of an exploratory nature. Questionnaires used in the study are provided.