NCJ Number
82822
Date Published
1982
Length
299 pages
Annotation
Crime victims and persons who had given them support following their victimizations were interviewed to obtain information useful for the design of future victim assistance programs which will avoid duplicating existing support networks and strengthen rather than replace victims' support from neighbors, friends, and relatives.
Abstract
Victims of burglary, robbery, and assault in three communities in New York City were interviewed both within a few weeks of the crime and 4 months later. Of the 274 victims interviewed shortly after the crime, 181 were interviewed 4 months later. A total of 152 members of their support networks were also interviewed. The interviews covered the crime, the victim's problems, the supporters, the type of help the supporter gave, the supporter's reaction to the victim, problems the supporter had as a result of helping, and the supporter's fear of crime. The main impacts of victimization were psychological. Victims experienced nervousness, anger, shame, helplessness, and many other negative feelings, which often lasted several months or longer. Over 60 percent felt less safe in their homes following the crime. Victims sought such types of help as rides, escorts, lock repairs, legal advice, and financial assistance. Most of the help received came from nearby friends, relatives, neighbors, coworkers, and a few strangers. Only 15 percent of the victims sought help from service agencies, and only 19 percent knew of any agency that could provide support. Victims who had received more help reported less fear of crime at the followup interview. Most supporters experienced secondary victimization in the form of nervous feelings, suspicion of others, and feelings of being less safe. Findings revealed that although many victims had limited needs, others suffered from problems which were not addressed by informal networks. Formal service programs should focus on help to victims from lower socioeconomic groups and on the provision of crisis counseling, legal assistance, lock repair, emergency financial aid, and temporary shelter. Programs should also provide referrals and help to supporters of victims. Additional recommendations, a literature review, tables, figures, 113 references, and appendixes presenting additional data tables and related information are provided.