NIJ Day: Improving Services for Victims of Crime

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

Victims of crime can experience a range of ongoing negative physical, emotional, and financial consequences. It is essential to understand the various needs of victims and, accordingly, how different types of victim services can most effectively support them. In FY20 and FY21, NIJ solicited research to advance knowledge to inform and enhance effective services for victims. This panel will feature findings from three studies focused on evaluating a variety of victim services including law enforcement-based victim services, telehealth mental health services, and victim compensation programs. It will also include findings from a fourth NIJ-funded study that sought to understand the effects of COVID-19 on services for victims of gender-based violence.

Sub Unit

• Area V. Victimization / 36. Policy and Prevention of Victimization

Individual Presentations

• Enhancing Response to Victims: A Formative Evaluation of OVC’s Law Enforcement-Based Victim Services (LEV) Program - Kelle Barrick, RTI International; Elizabeth Tibaduiza, RTI International

• Telemental Health Services for Reaching Rural Victims of Crime - Lissette Saavedra, RTI International

• Examining Equity in State Victim Compensation Programs: A Multilevel Analysis - Sebastián Guzmán, Council of State Governments Justice Center; Jessica Saunders, Council of State Governments Justice Center; Shradha Sahani, Council of State Governments Justice Center

• Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Victim Service Provision: Challenges, Innovations, and Lessons Learned - Hannah Feeney, RTI International; Rebecca Pfeffer, RTI International

Chair

• Erica Howell, National Institute of Justice