NCJ Number
192835
Editor(s)
Laura J. Moriarty
Date Published
2002
Length
181 pages
Annotation
This book identifies potential areas of conflict between police officers and victims.
Abstract
This book is a collection of 10 original chapters focusing on topics of concern voiced by police officers. A focus group of police officers provided a list of topics they considered paramount in order to increase their awareness and understanding of victims’ concerns and issues. The term victimology is defined and the impact of this new definition on policing is described in the first chapter. Also provided is a typology of victimization by offender and victim type. How police should treat victims is explained in the second chapter. The officer must be well trained to understand how crime impacts the victim physically, psychologically, emotionally, and financially. In Chapter Three, the subject of victim reporting is addressed, as well as strategies to increase victim reporting. Victimization issues, such as interviewing sexual assault victims and children, are examined in Chapter Four. The role of the police in investigating child welfare cases is discussed in Chapter Five. The advantages and disadvantages of police involvement in child abuse and neglect cases are examined. Chapter Six focuses on domestic violence and providing officers with different ways to interview the victims of domestic violence. Chapter Seven provides a historical and contemporary overview of victims’ rights legislation. State and Federal resources available to victims are addressed in the eighth chapter. The college campus is the focus of Chapter Nine. On-campus crime, campus policing, and victims’ advocacy and services are described. Chapter Ten discusses children as victims, providing an overview of the topic including a discussion of who protects children.