NCJ Number
83714
Date Published
1982
Length
115 pages
Annotation
This report presents a profile of the problems of victims and witnesses of crime in Florida and recommends strategies for dealing with these problems, with emphasis on the provision of cost-effective services for victims and witnesses.
Abstract
Florida was one of the first States to develop innovative programs to assist victims and witnesses. By 1979, over 50 local programs were operating in the State and the Florida Network of Victim/Witness Services had been formed. The LEAA-funded Victim/Witness project examined the needs of victims and witnesses and developed a comprehensive plan for addressing these needs. Three major problems identified included the underreporting of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence; lack of assistance to victims and witnesses and a resulting difficulty in prosecuting criminal cases; and the waste of large amounts of money due to the inefficient use and management of witnesses. To deal with the first two of these problems, the relationship of the offender to the victim should be stated in the crime reporting system and services should be developed to help victims of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence and to increase their reporting of these crimes. In addition, statistics from existing witness management programs should be provided to the courts in each region to demonstrate the efficiency of such programs. Charts, maps, a list of 34 references, appendixes presenting the results of a 1980 victim/witness survey and the survey instrument, and attached materials presenting the final progress report for the LEAA grant and related materials are provided.