Victim Assistance

Handbook for professionals and policymakers on Justice in matters involving child vitims and witnesses of crime. UNODC and UNICEF (2009). Criminal Justice Handbook Series. [EN]

The Handbook is based on international best practices in the treatment of child victims and witnesses of crime by the criminal justice system. It is intended to serve as guidance for policymakers and professionals dealing with child victims and witnesses of crime, such as judges, medical and support staff, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, social workers, staff of non-governmental organizations and teachers. The Handbook was developed with the recognition that legal, social, economic and cultural realities differ from country to country. The measures proposed in the Handbook are therefore not intended to be prescriptive, but to offer a map or compass to countries willing to address the specific needs of child victims and witnesses of crime. (excerpt)

Reducing violence trhough victim identification, care and support programmes. (2009) World Health Organization. [EN].

This document outlines evidence of the effectiveness of interventions to identify, care for and support victims of interpersonal violence. The area of pre-hospital and emergency medical care is not covered by this document since it is already addressed by three WHO guidelines (4–6).

Good Samaritans: Volunteers Helping Victims Program Handbook and Training Guide. (U.S. Department of Justice).

The Good Samaritans: Volunteers Helping Victims—Program Handbook and Training Guide is designed for prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, community groups, and faith-based organizations who are interested in expanding their services to crime victims. (excerpt)

Building Victim Assistance Networks with Faith Communities: Lessons Learned by the Vermont Victim Services 2000 Project.

Communities of faith are in a unique position to offer support to crime victims. Victims often seek comfort and spiritual guidance from religious leaders in the aftermath of crime. Religious and spiritual leaders can quickly mobilize resources and bring disparate groups together in support of victims. For example, they may extend to victims resources that were originally established for poor, disabled, and elderly members—including food pantries, clothing banks, emergency funds, meeting space, childcare, transportation, and even emergency housing. This document summarizes how the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services, as part of the Office for Victims of Crime's Victim Services 2000 demonstration project, built and used relationships with the faith community to improve victim services.

What Shall We Then Do? An Interdenominational Guide and Kit for Creating Healing Communities.

The vision of Healing Communities is that Christians and their churches faith will reach out and support individuals and families in their own congregations that are affected by the criminal justice system, which included those victimized by crime, those arrested, those in jail or prison, those reintegrating and the family members of each.When they do this, they become a Station of Hope – a place where the stigma and shame of the crime is eased and the congregation offers a place of love, forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation.

Neighbors Who Care

One result of Prison Fellowship USA’s interest in restorative justice was the development of a church-based ministry to victims called Neighbors Who Care (NWC). It was designed to be a ministry of local churches to demonstrate and communicate the love of Christ by addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of crime victims during the first days after the crime takes place. Its name was drawn from the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), who loved his neighbour when he cared for a stranger who was the victim of a crime.

United Nations Guidelines on Justice in Matters Involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime.

These guidelines were created to help make sure that children who have been harmed by crime and children who have seen others harmed are protected and treated fairly when they say what happened to them in a court of law. (excerpt, document created by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime).

Crime's Impact on Victims

Crimes cause crises that remove victims from their normal range of experiences and challenge their coping mechanisms. The realization that they cannot control what happens to them can shatter victims’ sense of safety and security. This trauma can touch many areas of victims’ lives. Understanding the impact of crime on victims is important preparation for working with them, for helping offenders understand the impact of their actions, and for ministering to prisoners and other people who have themselves been victims of crime.