"The Impact of Police on Victims," in Emilio Viano (ed.) Crime and Its Victims.
Hemisphere Publishing Co, 1989, 71-78.
Victims traditionally have been the "forgotten participants" in the criminal justice system, valued by the
police only for their role in reporting crimes when they occur and appearing in court as witnesses. Studies of
the police have highlighted the extent to which their function is to deal (often inadequately) with victims'
problems rather than "fight crime." Police officers who respond to calls represent the sole contact that the
majority of victims have with the criminal justice system, for most crimes are never solved and many do not
even warrant a follow-up visit from a detective. As responding officers provide the primary link between
victims and the state, any attempt to improve the lot of crime victims inevitably will depend on the active
assistance of these officers. There is little systematic information on how the police deal with victims and
what the effect of that treatment is. Surveys indicate that most Americans have a favorable opinion of the
police before an emergency contact, but many come away from the experience unhappy. Past research
suggests that victims want information, recognition, advice, support, protection, and reassurance and that
they often do not get these from the police.
Hemisphere Publishing Co, 1989, 71-78.
Victims traditionally have been the "forgotten participants" in the criminal justice system, valued by the
police only for their role in reporting crimes when they occur and appearing in court as witnesses. Studies of
the police have highlighted the extent to which their function is to deal (often inadequately) with victims'
problems rather than "fight crime." Police officers who respond to calls represent the sole contact that the
majority of victims have with the criminal justice system, for most crimes are never solved and many do not
even warrant a follow-up visit from a detective. As responding officers provide the primary link between
victims and the state, any attempt to improve the lot of crime victims inevitably will depend on the active
assistance of these officers. There is little systematic information on how the police deal with victims and
what the effect of that treatment is. Surveys indicate that most Americans have a favorable opinion of the
police before an emergency contact, but many come away from the experience unhappy. Past research
suggests that victims want information, recognition, advice, support, protection, and reassurance and that
they often do not get these from the police.
"Some Unexpected Effects of a Police Service for Victims," Crime and Delinquency,
33 (October, 1987), 490-501.
This article examines the impact of a special police program for crime victims. Police officers re-contacted
recent victims by telephone. The officers were to find out whether they needed any assistance, refer them to
support services, offer advice and information, gather any new information on the case, and indicate the
department's continuing concern for their plight. Participating victims also were sent crime prevention
materials. The program was evaluated using an experimental design. Victims were randomly assigned to
treatment and control groups, and only the former were contacted. Then, follow-up interviews were
conducted with all victims in order to assess the impact of the program.
33 (October, 1987), 490-501.
This article examines the impact of a special police program for crime victims. Police officers re-contacted
recent victims by telephone. The officers were to find out whether they needed any assistance, refer them to
support services, offer advice and information, gather any new information on the case, and indicate the
department's continuing concern for their plight. Participating victims also were sent crime prevention
materials. The program was evaluated using an experimental design. Victims were randomly assigned to
treatment and control groups, and only the former were contacted. Then, follow-up interviews were
conducted with all victims in order to assess the impact of the program.
Victim Research Abstracts
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |