NCJ Number
126157
Date Published
1990
Length
175 pages
Annotation
This manual for pastors, priests, rabbis, lay leaders, and religious counselors of all faiths is a basic guide to understanding the issues confronting crime victims and developing clergy and congregational services for such victims.
Abstract
This elementary overview of current understanding and experience of crime victimization covers the following crimes: family violence against children (physical abuse, sexual assault, emotional abuse, and neglect); family violence against spouses and the elderly; rape and sexual assault; robbery, assault, and burglary; and violent death (homicide and drunk driving). In addition to providing information on the extent and dynamics of each of these types of victimization, the manual guides clergy in the provision of pastoral services to such victims, including referral to specialized community services and the reporting of child abuse to authorities. Appropriate national resource organizations are listed for each type of crime victim, and helpful publications are cited. Guidance for congregations in mounting programs and services to prevent the various types of criminal victimization is also offered. The logistics of conducting a crime-victimization clergy training event are described as well.