NCJ Number
58696
Date Published
1979
Length
66 pages
Annotation
THE VICTIM WITNESS ADVOCATE PROGRAM OF PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA IS EVALUATED IN THIS REPORT; PROGRAM STRUCTURE, GOALS, ASSESSMENT BY THE COMMUNITY, ISSUES, AND OBSERVATIONS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE VICTIM WITNESS ADVOCATE PROGRAM OF PIMA COUNTY BEGAN OPERATION IN JANUARY 1976. IT HAS SINCE EVOLVED INTO A CITY-COUNTY PROGRAM, NO LONGER FUNDED BY FEDERAL GRANTS, OFFERING A NUMBER OF SERVICES FOR THE BENEFIT OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES OF CRIME, AS WELL AS OTHER PERSONS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE. MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM ARE CONCERNED WITH CLASSIFYING THE NEEDS OF ALL VICTIMS AND WITNESSES WHO COME TO THE ATTENTION OF PROGRAM PERSONNEL; PROVIDING NECESSARY SERVICES SUCH AS COUNSELING, PROTECTION, HOUSING, AND MEDICAL CARE; INCREASING THE ABILITY OF POLICE OFFICERS TO IDENTIFY VICTIMS AND WITNESSES WHO NEED CRISIS INTERVENTION; AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEYS (AT LEAST 75 VOLUNTEERS ARE TRAINED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE). FURTHERMORE, PROGRAM PERSONNEL STRIVE TO INCREASE BY 10 PERCENT WITHIN A 3 YEAR PERIOD THE APPARENT WILLINGNESS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME. THE STAFF ALSO ATTEMPTS TO INCREASE BY 20 PERCENT WITHIN THE SAME PERIOD THE WILLINGNESS OF THE PUBLIC TO ASSIST IN PROSECUTION FUNCTIONS. FINALLY, THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL ABOUT THE PROBLEMS FACED BY VICTIMS AND WITNESSES. THE INCREASING REFERRALS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTION, AND CORRECTIONS ARE ONE INDICATOR THAT THE PROGRAM HAS FOUND AN ACCEPTABLE PLACE WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY; THE SAME IS TRUE IN THE SOCIAL SERVICE FIELD AS EVIDENCED BY SUPPORTIVE COMMENTS. THE PROGRAM'S PERFORMANCE RECORD POINTS TO THE NEED FOR POLICYMAKERS TO GIVE CONTINUED SUPPORT. DIAGRAMS, TABULAR DATA, AND FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (LWM)