NCJ Number
92305
Date Published
1984
Length
69 pages
Annotation
A survey of 450 crime victims in New York State indicates that victim/witness assistance programs (VWAP) should expand their services. Services that lessen the trauma of the victimization experience and that humanize victims' treatment are needed, particularly for the elderly and for minority groups.
Abstract
The victims were interviewed between Dec. 3, 1980, and Feb. 5, 1981; they had reported serious crime to police departments in New York during January and July 1980. More than 3 in 4 victims (78 percent) of Index crimes report having money or property stolen; among these, the average loss reported was over $1,500. While some victims recovered their losses through insurance and restoration, the average net loss to victims of reported Index crime in New York State was still in excess of $1,400 per victim. More than 2 out of 5 victims reported mental or emotional suffering as a serious problem resulting from their experience; more than half said they were more fearful of crime as a result of the experience and had changed their lifestyles. VWAP's can alleviate the direct impacts of victimization and can diminish the indirect effects as well. Almost 1 in 3 victims of reported crime have received services offered by VWAP's from a public agency after the crime occurred; those who have received such services rate the criminal justice system more positively than do those who have not. However, survey data indicate that there is a shortfall in the availability of VWAP services, as evidenced by the relatively small numbers of victims who received services compared to those who suffered serious problems as a result of victimization. The report discusses specific services available to crime victims and notes victims' attitudes to and awareness of New York's Crime Victims Compensation Board. A total of 19 tables are supplied. (Author summary modified)