Legal Needs and Barriers Following Crime: Listening to Victim and Service Providers Voices

• In Event: Diverse Populations and Diverse Needs: Variation in How Victims of Crime are Served by the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

Following interpersonal crime, what challenges do victims face in getting civil and criminal legal needs met? How do barriers to legal services intersect with forms of oppression (e.g., lack of translation services)? Addressing these questions, a 3-phase study brought together crime victim and service provider voices to assess legal service needs and barriers. Phase 1 involved interviews with 25 victim service professionals working with diverse crime victims (including, for example, ethnic and sexual minority communities, non-English speakers, people with disabilities). Phase 2 involved focus groups with diverse crime victims and/or those who know crime victims well (e.g., court-appointed special advocates). Based on Phases 1 and 2, we developed a comprehensive measure of legal needs and barriers, tested in Phase 3 with more than 200 crime victims and victim service providers. Qualitative data revealed several important themes, including: lack of trauma-informed, victim-centered legal services; lack of public and professional education on legal issues following crime; and lack of communication within and across different parts of the legal system. Quantitative data pointed to specific gaps and barriers. Implications of these findings for doing research with as well as developing legal services that meet the needs of diverse crime victims will be discussed.

Authors

• Anne P. DePrince, University of Denver

• Tejaswinhi Srinivas, University of Denver

• Michelle Seulki Lee, University of Denver