NCJ Number
73562
Date Published
Unknown
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the concept of the victim ombudsman which has evolved into a variety of approaches that address the plight of victims at the community level.
Abstract
Three approaches are described: victim advocacy programs, victim witness programs, and special interest advocacy programs. Victim advocacy programs are often integrated with law enforcement activities, emphasize a quick response to crime victims, and help improve community relations for law enforcement agencies. Other forms of victim advocacy programs focus on the needs of the victims, regardless of their participation in the court process. Victim witness programs, perhaps the most prevalent type of program in the United States today, explain the nature of the victim's participation in the prosecution, the progress of the case, and offer special auxiliary services for different categories of victims. Finally, special interest advocacy programs offer specialized services to victims. These include rape crisis centers; services to elderly victims, with programs ranging from direct services to crime prevention programs; and victim services for children which include 114 direct social family service programs, 29 direct health related programs, 30 miscellaneous programs, and 31 24-hour hotline operations. Also included are services for wife abuse victims that primarily involve persons in the women's movement and that emphasize grass-roots counseling, shelters, and varied services such as legal aid and job services. Finally, the article suggests that the office of victim ombudsman is needed to serve as a clearinghouse for all victim-related information and to offer all possible assistance to victims. About 30 references are given.