NCJ Number
139928
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 61 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1992) Pages: 12-18
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article traces the evolution of victim/witness assistance programs and answers some fundamental questions about their operation and funding sources.
Abstract
The pendulum shifted gradually in the mid-1970's toward providing fewer rehabilitation services to convicted felons and more services to innocent crime victims and witnesses. Victim/witness assistance programs encourage witness cooperation in the filing of criminal charges and testifying in court. These programs generally include a witness notification and case monitoring system in which program staff keep witnesses advised of indictments, continuances, postponements, specific trial and hearing dates, negotiated pleas, and trial outcomes. Primary program objectives include helping victims to overcome the emotional anxiety in traumas associated with testifying in court and encouraging witness cooperation in the prosecution of criminal cases. Currently, many programs have more than one funding source. The most significant funding for victim assistance and victim compensation has been awarded to the States through the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime. Over $620 million has been allocated from various sources since 1984 to aid crime victims. Typically, these programs provide services to all victims of violent and property-related crimes. 6 footnotes