NCJ Number
70122
Date Published
1980
Length
321 pages
Annotation
This report describes strategies developed by victim and witness assistance projects and summarizes evaluation results regarding effectiveness of these strategies.
Abstract
Study methods include a review of completed evaluations and related literature, a mail survey of all 280 victim and witness projects meeting the study's criteria, and site visits to 20 projects. Critical reviews of written records were used to assess projects' success. All projects shared one or more of the following goals: (1) reducing victimization effects caused by the offender or by the criminal justice system; (2) promoting victim and witness participation in the criminal justice system; and (3) improving the use of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice process. Some projects focused on victim services; some, on witness services; and some, on services to both victims and witnesses. The three groups of projects differed in target population, point of intervention with clients, service emphasis, and outcome expectations. Most projects delivered the expected immediate services and were pleasing to both clients and observers. Little is known about projects' long-run impacts or about which kinds of projects produce the best results. Therefore, policymakers have little information on which to base resource allocation decisions about such efforts. Tables, figures, footnotes, and extensive appendixes presenting a directory of victim/witness assistance projects, study instruments, mail survey results, and future research strategies are included.