HAMDEN (CT) VICTIM SERVICES PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 46400
• Author(s): J GERVASIO
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 25 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Connecticut Justice Cmmsn
• Corporate Author: South Central Criminal Justice Supervisory Board; Hamden Police Dept; Hamden Mental Health Service
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A PROGRAM OF VICTIM SERVICES DEVELOPED BY A SMALL, SUBURBAN POLICE DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH A REGIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING BOARD AND A LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE PROJECT IS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE VICTIM'S SENSE OF WELL-BEING AFTER THE CRIME, THE INFORMATION GIVEN TO AND RECEIVED FROM THE VICTIM, AND THE COMMUNITY'S PERCEPTION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. ALL POLICE PERSONNEL COMPLETED AN 8-HOUR COURSE ON VICTIM SERVICES, DEVELOPED IN PART ON THE BASIS OF A SURVEY OF THE ATTITUDES OF HAMDEN POLICE OFFICERS TOWARD VICTIMS. THE HAMDEN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDES A COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR CRIME VICTIMS. THE PROJECT HAS PUBLISHED A VICTIM INFORMATION GUIDE AND HAS ESTABLISHED A SOCIAL SERVICE REFERRAL SYSTEM AND A SYSTEM FOR NOTIFYING VICTIMS OF THE PROGRESS OF THEIR CASES. DETAILS OF PROJECT PLANNING, ACTIVITIES, AND FUTURE PLANS ARE PRESENTED. A COPY OF THE VICTIM NEEDS AWARENESS TRAINING COURSE CURRICULUM IS PROVIDED; CONCEPTS OF VICTIMOLOGY, HELPING TECHNIQUES, THE PSYCHOLOGY OF VICTIMIZATION, EXPERIMENTAL EXERCISES, AND REVIEW AND EVALUATION CRITERIA ARE THE FOCUS OF THE CURRICULUM. (LKM)