This tip sheet from the National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center (NMVVRC) provides guidance for victim service providers in serving crime victims during times of public crises.
One section of the tip sheet provides guidance on knowing what resources are available in the community that may be relevant to the needs of a crime victim, including services from outside the community that may be available remotely. Information on available resources should be continuously monitored and updated. Another section of the tip sheet addresses the management of limited resources in certain communities that may have had a reduction in resources due to the COVID-19 crisis. Victim service providers must be particularly vigilant in what types of services have been strained during this period. One suggestion is to check with policies on releasing incarcerated offenders early due to COVID and procedures for notifying victims of the release of their offenders. The tip sheet also addresses monitoring the financial needs of victims whose incomes have diminished because of the pandemic, providing information on scams and various reliable public and private resources. Overall, the tip sheet guides victim service providers in ensuring that area service providers and resources are used efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of crime victims under changing conditions of resource availability.