Victims' Needs and Victim Services: Final Report to the National Institute of Justice

• NCJ Number: 132415
• Author(s): W G Skogan; R C Davis; A J Lurigio
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 87 pages
• Grant Number(s): 88-IJ-CX-0047
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

Information gathered from interviews with crime victims in Evanston, Illinois; Rochester, New York; Pima County, Arizona; and Fayette County, Kentucky was used to examine the relationship between victims' needs and available victim services. Victims of burglary, robbery, and assault were questioned about a list of problems they may have experienced as a result of their victimization, and how those problems were solved.

Abstract

While the need most frequently expressed by crime victims was advice or counseling, they also raised a number of security-related concerns including security device installation, prevention of future victimization, and protection from their assailants. Victims also needed help with household logistics and replacement of stolen property. While local Victim Assistance Programs offered counseling and advice, most assistance in every need category came from family and friends. One-third of respondents had been in contact with local services that they had heard about through word of mouth or the media. The survey indicated a serious mismatch between victims' needs and victim service. Although victims were generally satisfied with the services they received, there were dramatic levels of unassisted need in filing insurance claims, obtaining security-related help and legal advice, and resolving financial problems. 5 tables, 9 figures, 6 references, and 2 appendixes