NCJ Number
72338
Journal
Planning and Administration Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (1979) Pages: 66-74
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article describes the accomplishments of a victim-witness advocate program (V-WAP) in Pima County, Ariz.
Abstract
Arizona's Pima County V-WAP is one of the oldest, the most comprehensive, and successful programs in the country. Part of the Adult Diversion Division of the Pima County Attorney's Office, it interacts with the Tuscon police department, the county sheriff, and two other police departments. The V-WAP's main contact is with the superior court. The program grew out of the contact persons working in restitution had with victims. In 1974, there was a program to help offenders, but none to assist victims of crime. Through funds from LEAA, the V-WAP officially began in 1975, and hired a manager, a program coordinator, two victim-service advocates, a senior citizen advocate, and a research analyst. A retired police sergeant trained police officers in crisis intervention and mangement. The program now (1979) offers such services to victims and witnesses as crisis intervention for victims or witnesses, social services to victims and witnesses not in crisis situations, criminal justice information provision for victims and witnesses, educational and media efforts, and others. The program's objectives include determining and classifying the types of needs of victims and witnesses who come to the program, increasing the ability of police and deputies to identify victims and witnesses in need of crisis intervention, increasing the general public's knowledge of services to victims and witnesses, and training more persons to probive assistance. Generally, the program has met with great success, and good relationships have been established with the law enforcement community. Diagrams illustrate the program's structure and nine notes are provided.