New Developments in BJS’ Victim Services Statistical Research Program (VSSRP)

• In Event: National Crime Victimization Survey Users' Group

Abstract

This paper will provide an overview and highlight recent developments in BJS’ Victim Services Statistical Research Program (VSSRP), a program designed to collect and integrate data from victim service providers (VSPs) and victims to better understand victim service provision. The VSSRP includes VSP collections that will, for the first time, assess basic questions about the field including how many providers exist, where are they located, what types of crimes and victims do they serve, and how are they funded and staffed. New developments in the National Census of Victim Service Providers (NCVSP) and the National Survey of Victim Service Providers (NSVSP) will be discussed, and updates on the National Census of Hospital-based Victim Services (NCHVS), a collaborative effort between BJS and NCHS. BJS’ efforts to modify existing surveys to better understand the frame and scope of the VSP field will also be discussed. In addition to new VSP data collections, BJS is invested in gathering better data on help-seeking and service provision from the perspectives of victims. As part of a redesign, new items will be added to the NCVS to better measure crime victims’ informal and formal help-seeking behaviors, need for services, and access to services.

Author

• Barbara Oudekerk, Bureau of Justice Statistics