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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for victims services
17 results foundAuthor: Davis, Robert C. Title: Finally Getting Victims Their Due: A Process Evaluation of the NCVLI Victims' Rights Clinics Summary: This report describes a process evaluation conducted by the RAND Corporation and National Center for Victims of Crime of the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) state and federal victims’ rights clinics. The clinics were conceived as a response to the fact that, in spite of burgeoning victims’ rights legislation in all states, many victims still are not receiving the rights they are entitled to under law. The NCVLI clinics were intended to promote awareness, education, and enforcement of crime victims’ rights in the criminal justice system. In establishing the victims’ rights clinics, NCVLI sought to change the legal culture with respect to observance of victims’ rights. The vehicle for doing this was providing direct representation to individual victims in criminal court. By giving victims attorneys, NCVLI hoped that it could increase the observance of rights in those particular cases. But it also hoped that the presence of victim attorneys in some cases and trainings held for court officials would result in an increased attention to victims’ rights by prosecutors, judges, and police officers in all cases – not just in the cases where victims were represented by attorneys. The process evaluation placed a significant focus on how the clinics approach their work. We noted that the clinics ranged in their organizational aegis from being housed within victim services programs to being located within a law school to being one component within a full service law firm, and that these arrangements had implications for how the clinics conducted their work. We noted that every clinic has made an effort to train pro bono attorneys and refer cases to them. However, the experience has not always been positive because pro bono attorneys often do not have the knowledge, commitment, or availability to be of significant help. We noted that, while their primary focus has always been on addressing violations of clients’ legal rights, most of the clinics also have developed a focus that includes addressing all of victims’ crime-related needs, either directly or through referrals to other service providers. We noted that there is a large disparity between clinics in the number of cases opened annually and the geographic coverage of each across the states in which they are located. The report finds that clinics have dealt with a range of victims’ rights issues in trial courts including the right to be present, right to be consulted about plea offers, right to make an impact statement, right to be notified of changes in defendants’ detention status, right to restitution, right to privacy, and so forth. However, the principal issue has been victim standing before the court to enforce their rights. In some states, standing has been acknowledged, at least in limited ways. In other states, clinics have made or are making steps toward such recognition, or have been successful in representing victims without the issue being directly confronted. In one state, the ability of attorneys to represent victims in criminal court is currently in serious question. The report also discusses how some clinics have won significant gains at the appellate and federal court levels concerning victim standing, the rights to be consulted and heard, and the right to privacy. Based on the information we gathered during the course of the process evaluation, we believe that the state clinics are beginning to fulfill the intentions of their architects and funders. All of the clinics have pushed the envelope of victims’ rights in their state courts. Some have won significant victories in gaining standing for victims and expanding the definition of particular rights. Others are enjoined in the battle. But all have raised awareness of victims’ rights with prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, and police officials. Details: Unpublished report to the U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2009. 299p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 10, 2010 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/228389.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/228389.pdf Shelf Number: 116665 Keywords: Legal AidVictims of CrimeVictims Services |
Author: Townsend, Stephanie M. Title: Sexual Violence Research Initiative: Report of Evaluation Findings Summary: The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is a global project that promotes research on sexual violence in order to improve policy and service delivery. This report presents an external evaluation of the SVRI and details the methods and findings of that evaluation. Using archival review and key informant interviews, the evaluation assessed key progress indicators and six dimensions of the SVRI's performance: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, institutional development, complementarity, and sustainability. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Sexual Violence Research Initiative, 2010. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 18, 2010 at: http://www.svri.org/Evaluation2010Report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.svri.org/Evaluation2010Report.pdf Shelf Number: 119967 Keywords: Sexual ViolenceVictims ServicesViolence Against Women |
Author: Khan, Sadiq Title: Punishment & Reform: How Our Justice System Can Help Cut Crime Summary: ‘Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime’ was more than a clever soundbite; it was a successful approach to criminal justice policy that left crime 43 per cent lower when Labour departed office than when it entered. The challenge now is to build on this legacy and further reduce crime, but within the tough spending constraints imposed by straitened times. To inform the conclusions of the Labour Party policy review, Sadiq Khan MP brings together a group of experts from across the criminal justice field to investigate reform. Their essays do not represent Labour Party policy, but are suggestions and inspiration from some of the most respected figures in the area. The authors think creatively about how to get the balance right between deterrent, punishment and rehabilitation and how to create a criminal justice system that lowers crime and protects communities whilst breaking the cycle of re-offending. One aspect that is often overlooked is the experience of the victim. Victims should be at the heart of our criminal justice system, not only because they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, but also because their co-operation and trust is vital for it to function effectively and bring offenders to justice. But victims are often treated as mere bystanders as their cases proceed through the courts. This needs to change. In Punishment and Reform: How our justice system can help cut crime, Lord Victor Adebowale, Baroness Jean Corston, Shauneen Lambe, Paul McDowell, Kevin McGrath, Barry Mizen, Dame Helen Reeves, Professor Robert Reiner, Professor Julian V Roberts, Matthew Ryder QC, Lord Norman Warner and Phil Wheatley CB consider what changes could be made to support victims and ensure justice is served more effectively in our country. Details: London: The Fabian Society, 2011. 122p. Source: Fabian Ideas 630: Internet Resource: Accessed March 10, 2012 at http://www.fabians.org.uk/images/Punishment_and_Reform_WEB.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.fabians.org.uk/images/Punishment_and_Reform_WEB.pdf Shelf Number: 124421 Keywords: Criminal Justice PolicyRe-OffendingVictims of CrimeVictims Services |
Author: Blazey, Laura Title: Reducing the risk, cutting the cost: An assessment of the potential savings from Barnardo's interventions for young people who have been sexually exploited Summary: Across the UK, thousands of vulnerable girls and boys are being groomed and then abused, often for years on end, leaving them deeply traumatised and scarred for life. This is why we asked for Pro Bono Economics’ support in trying to understand the cost implications of child sexual exploitation and to explore the financial benefits of providing interventions for young people affected by this form of abuse. In 2006, Barnardo’s published the findings of a two-year research study which sought to evaluate the success of our specialist sexual exploitation services in achieving positive outcomes for young people who have been sexually exploited.1 This was the first study of its kind to demonstrate quantitatively the positive impact that this type of support can have on the lives of young people. Five years on, the need for charities to demonstrate the effectiveness of our interventions has become all the more compelling in the light of increased pressure on public finances and voluntary sector funding. We know that the effect of sexual exploitation on the lives of the young people we work with is hugely damaging and often has a significant effect on their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, well into adulthood. However, we know very little of the wider impact of sexual exploitation on society. While there is a very clear moral case for responding to the needs of young people who have suffered this horrific form of abuse, what are the cost implications for the taxpayer? On behalf of Barnardo’s, Pro Bono Economics enlisted a team of volunteers from the Bank of England to undertake research to help us understand the wider impact of sexual exploitation and to quantify the savings made by society as a result of providing specialist interventions for young people at risk of sexual exploitation. This briefing sets out the key findings from the research and highlights the implications of the research for responding to the needs of young people who have been sexually exploited. Details: Essex: Barnardo's, 2011. 16p. Source: Research Briefing: Internet Resource: Accessed March 11, 2012 at http://www.barnardos.org.uk/reducing_the_risk_cutting_the_cost__final_.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/reducing_the_risk_cutting_the_cost__final_.pdf Shelf Number: 124463 Keywords: Child Sexual Abuse (U.K.)Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)Victims Services |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Title: International Framework for Action To Implement the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol Summary: While 129 States, to date, have ratified the United Nations Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, giving effect to the Protocol remains a challenge in all regions. Most countries do not have dedicated action plans or strategies. Most commonly, migrant smuggling is partially addressed through efforts to combat irregular migration, by strengthening border controls and through efforts undertaken against transnational organized crime. Where migrants are simply detained and returned to countries of origin without the smuggling actors involved in their migration being investigated, the criminal processes at work continue unchallenged. Where border controls are strengthened without addressing the root causes of irregular migration and demand for smuggling services, the modus operandi of smugglers will simply adapt. Where opportunities to safely and regularly migrate are not offered as part of a holistic response to migrant smuggling alongside measures to address root causes of irregular migration, the demand for migrant smuggling services will only increase. These considerations highlight the need to elaborate an International Framework for Action to implement the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol (Framework for Action) to harmonize and coordinate a holistic and global response to the phenomenon in countries of origin, transit and destination. The purpose of the Framework for Action is to assist Member States and non-state actors in identifying and addressing gaps in their response to migrant smuggling in accordance with international standards. The Framework for Action unpacks provisions of the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, drawing upon international instruments, political commitments, guidelines and best practices to enable the implementation of a comprehensive response to migrant smuggling. The Framework for Action consists of a narrative section and a set of tables. The Narrative describes the key challenges in the implementation of the Migrant Smuggling Protocol and elaborates guiding principles in responding to them. The set of tables details practical measures that can be taken in response of four key pillars: i) Prosecution of migrant smugglers; ii) Protection of smuggled migrants and their rights; iii) Prevention of migrant smuggling; iv) Cooperation to address migrant smuggling. For each of the four pillars, the Framework for Action is divided into: Protocol Objectives, which reflect the provisions of the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol; Specific Objectives, which explain the intent of the provisions; Framework Requirements, setting out minimum standards for action; Implementation Measures, which offer best practices to achieve effective implementation; and Operational Indicators, to measure implementation and help monitor change over time. Details: Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2011. 176p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2012 at http://www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/Migrant-Smuggling/Framework_for_Action_Smuggling_of_Migrants.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/Migrant-Smuggling/Framework_for_Action_Smuggling_of_Migrants.pdf Shelf Number: 124722 Keywords: Crime PreventionHuman SmugglingInternational CooperationMigrant SmugglingProsecutionVictims Services |
Author: Sanders, Cynthia K. Title: Asset Building Programs for Domestic Violence Survivors Summary: Initiatives to promote asset ownership among low-income households have grown substantially in the last 20 years (Sherraden & McKernan, 2008). Asset ownership among low-income groups has largely been promoted through savings, homeownership, and small business development initiatives. Only recently have such programs begun to emerge as a strategy for promoting the social and economic well-being of domestic violence survivors (Sanders & Schnabel, 2006). This paper will discuss asset building programs, including some of the benefits of asset ownership and why asset building programs for domestic violence survivors may be important. The dearth of literature on assets and domestic violence is reviewed, calling for further research. Details: Harrisburg, PA: VAWnet, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2011. 14p. Source: Applied Research: Internet Resource: Accessed April 24, 2012 at http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_AssetBuilding.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_AssetBuilding.pdf Shelf Number: 125060 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceVictims Services |
Author: Laing, Lesley Title: Evaluation of the Green Valley Liverpool Domestic Violence Service (GVLDVS) Summary: THE Green Valley Liverpool Domestic Violence Service (GVLDVS) is one of six specialist domestic violence services funded under the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services Program (ID&FVSP). Originally providing a service only to women and children in Green Valley, the service was expanded under the ID&FVSP program to comprise six staff and extended to cover the Liverpool LGA. The GVLDVS is auspiced by the South Western Sydney Local Health District, and is one of only two specialist domestic violence services located within the NSW Health sector. The brief of the service extends beyond the provision of direct services to women and children experiencing domestic violence to include an explicit focus on the promotion of a coordinated interagency response to domestic violence. Expanding the service beyond the Green Valley post code area was a recommendation of the evaluation of the original Green Valley service. This established common service boundaries with other agencies in the Liverpool area, overcoming barriers to referral and coordination that had limited the availability of this specialist service to many women and children. Whereas the GVDVS was the sole, specialist domestic violence service in Green Valley, the expanded GVLDVS is one of a number of services providing support to women experiencing domestic violence in the wider Liverpool area. These other services include a number of long-established women’s services and two new domestic violence services: Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV), which works to enable women to remain in their homes, where it is safe to do so and the Domestic Violence Support Western Sydney Service (DVSWSS) which was established in response to the NSW Government’s Homelessness Action Plan. This more complex service delivery context calls for attention to collaboration to ensure the best use of domestic violence resources, to avoid duplication and service delivery ‘gaps’ that can jeopardize the safety of women and children. This evaluation aimed to explore: The impact the GVLDVS has on women and children living in the Liverpool LGA who have experienced domestic violence; Awareness and understanding of the GVLDVS by interagency partners in Liverpool; The impact the GVLDVS has on interagency collaboration and coordination, looking particularly at developing partnerships in the context of the GVLDVS expansion into the wider Liverpool area; The impact the GVLDVS has on education, training and community development around the issue of domestic violence in the Liverpool area. The evaluation also examines the ways in which the GVLDVS fulfils its objectives to: Enhance the safety of women and children; Assist women and children to overcome the effects of domestic violence on their lives and relationships; Promote coordinated responses to domestic violence by a range of services including police, courts, health, child protection, housing and non-government agencies. mixed methodology involving the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data was used to evaluate this program, consistent with evaluations carried out in complex service delivery contexts (Keys Young, 2000). Including the voices of service users, those delivering the service and interagency partners, is essential in domestic violence service evaluation (Sulllivan, 2001). Data was collected from multiple sources: 6 Evaluation of the Green Valley Liverpool Domestic Violence Service Women who have used the service (where their safe participation could be organised); Staff of the GVLDVS; Interagency partners; Data collected under the ID&FVSP evaluation strategy on referrals to and from the GVLDVS, types of services provided and client demographics; Documentation of interagency partnerships; education, training and preventive initiatives; and therapeutic and support groups; Documentation of the reinvigorated partnership between the GVLDVS and the Green Valley police. Chapter 1 sets the context for the evaluation and outlines the methodology used. Chapter 2 draws on data from interviews with GVLDVS staff and interagency partners to paint a picture of the current context of service delivery to women and children experiencing domestic violence in Liverpool. It provides a context for the findings from interviews with women clients and interagency partners about the operations of the GVLDVS which are presented in the following chapters. While there is considerable consistency in the issues raised by both groups of respondents, each also identified particular challenges for coordinated service delivery. The GVLDVS participants identified the particular issues faced by women with children who find themselves at the intersection of the domestic violence, Family Law and child protection systems. Chapter 3 places the voices of women who have used the GVLDVS at the centre of the evaluation. They talk about the impact of the service on their and their children’s safety and well-being and on the ways in which the GVLDVS ‘walks with them’ on a journey away from violence. Some data from the interviews with GVLDVS staff is presented at the end of this chapter, to illustrate the consistency between the ways in which the staff approach service delivery and the ways in which this is experienced by women. Chapter 4 provides the perspectives of interagency partners about the role of the GVLDVS in direct service delivery to women and children, promoting collaborative partnerships and a wide range of awareness-raising and education activities. Chapter 5 provides data about the scope of the work of the GVLDVS in direct service delivery, community development, prevention, education and training, and partnership improvements. Read with the qualitative data in the preceding 2 chapters, this provides information on the variety and depth of the work of the GVLDVS team. Chapter 6 documents the efforts undertaken during the period of the evaluation to strengthen the partnership with Green Valley Police, which has been integral to the service since its pilot stage. In line with best practice directions, a coordinated case management response is being developed, aimed at identifying high risk cases and developing a coordinated approach to reducing identified risks. Chapter 7 brings together the key findings and discusses them against the current research literature about service provision to victim/survivors of domestic violence in the context of interagency collaboration and makes some recommendations for the future development of the GVLDVS. Details: Sydney: Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney, 2012. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 27, 2012 at: http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/8683/2/GVLDVS_Evaluation_report_web.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/8683/2/GVLDVS_Evaluation_report_web.pdf Shelf Number: 127009 Keywords: Abused WivesBattered WomenDomestic Violence (Australia)Family ViolenceVictims of Family ViolenceVictims Services |
Author: Adfam Title: Between A Rock and A Hard Place: How Parents Deal with Children Who Use Substances and Perpetrate Abuse Summary: Previous research commissioned by Adfam and AVA found that the problem of child to parent violence (CPV) was under recognised and under supported by services. It found that many groups which offered support for families affected by drugs and alcohol came into contact with parents who reported high levels of violence from their drug or alcohol using children which in many ways was similar to what is widely considered domestic violence under the definition of intimate partner violence (IPV). The purpose of this stage of the project, therefore, was to consult parents affected by CPV, find out what their experiences of seeking support had been, identify areas of deficiency in support and make corresponding recommendations to address them and build relationships between the family, domestic violence and drug and alcohol sectors. This stage of the project consisted of facilitating nine focus groups throughout England with 88 parents affected by CPV. In these focus groups parents were consulted on to their experiences of CPV – what form it took, when they first realised what was happening, which services they turned to first, and which services were the best in providing support. The focus groups were conducted in a safe and confidential manner by an experienced facilitator, with Adfam and AVA providing a confidentiality protocol and a consent form for parents taking part. The second stage of the project will provide training for family support groups and a series of briefings on CPV. The focus groups were organised with the help of family support groups throughout England – organisations often run by parents–turnedpractitioners who have used their personal experiences of having a drug or alcohol user in the family to provide support for other parents and family members. Details: London: Adfam and Ava, 2012. 41p. Source: Project Report: Internet Resource: Accessed December 20, 2012 at http://www.adfam.org.uk/docs/Between_a_rock_and_a_hard_place_-_Project_report.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.adfam.org.uk/docs/Between_a_rock_and_a_hard_place_-_Project_report.pdf Shelf Number: 127238 Keywords: Family Violence (UK)Juvenile Drug Offenders (UK)Juvenile Violence (UK)Victims Services |
Author: Soirila, Ukri Title: Trafficking in Human Beings and Foucauldian Biopower: A Case Study in the Expansion of the Human Rights Phenomenon Summary: Trafficking in human beings has become one of the most talked about criminal concerns of the 21st century. This thesis asks how has the anti-trafficking campaign been translated in human rights language. Can human rights actually bring salvation to the victims of trafficking? The translation process has been a complicated process involving various actors, including scholars, feminist NGOs, local activists and global human rights NGOs. It is argued that in order to understand the measures of the authorities, and to assess the usefulness of human rights, it is necessary to adopt a Foucauldian perspective and to observe the measures as biopolitical defence mechanisms. Human rights have not become useless for the victims of trafficking, but they must be conceived as a universal tool to formulate political claims and challenge power. Details: Helsinki, Finland: University of Helsinki, 2011. 104p. Source: Master's Thesis, University of Helsinki: Internet Resource: Accessed December 22, 2012 at https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/28677/traffick.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/28677/traffick.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 127261 Keywords: Human RightsHuman TraffickingVictims of CrimeVictims Services |
Author: Granville, Sue Title: Making Justice Work for Victims and Witnesses Summary: The Scottish Strategy for Victims was published in 2001 and set out an action plan based on three core principles; that victims should be provided with generic and case specific information; that they should receive appropriate support; and that they should have their voice heard. Subsequently in 2005 the National Standards for Victims of Crime set out the level of service that victims and witnesses should expect in their dealings with the criminal justice and children’s hearing systems. Much of the work on witnesses in recent years has focused on implementing the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004, phased in between 2005 and 2008; and providing greater focus on the needs of witnesses when giving evidence. The Scottish Government is planning to introduce a Victims and Witnesses Bill, to improve the support available to victims and witnesses and in May 2012 issued a consultation to obtain views on a number of proposals to improve the experience of such individuals. The consultation contained 54 questions in relation to a number of key proposals: • Introducing a victim surcharge so that offenders pay towards the cost of supporting victims; • Requiring the courts to consider compensation in every case where a victim has suffered injury, loss or distress; • Creating a duty on relevant public agencies to set clear standards of service for victims and witnesses; • Creating an automatic right to special measures for victims in cases involving sexual offences and domestic abuse; • Commissioning a feasibility study into how the SG can provide much better information for victims and the public about specific cases; • Improving the way cases are managed so that victims and witnesses can have far greater confidence that, where they are required to give evidence, the case will go ahead on the day as planned; • Victims should be able to make oral representations to a member of the Parole Board so that they can contribute effectively to decisions about parole for criminals subject to life sentences. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2012. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 5, 2013 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0041/00412912.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0041/00412912.pdf Shelf Number: 127479 Keywords: Victim CompensationVictims of Crime (Scotland)Victims ServicesWitnesses |
Author: Annison, Rachel Title: In the Dock: Examining the UK's Criminal Justice Response to Trafficking Summary: In the Dock is The Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group’s (ATMG) third report. The ATMG continues its unique task of monitoring and evaluating the UK’s performance in implementing the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the EU Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. This report examines the effectiveness of trafficking investigations and prosecutions through the UK Criminal Justice System (CJS) in terms of law, policy and practice. In particular, the report focuses on: • Obstacles that impede an effective criminal justice response to trafficking; • The UK’s ability to ensure its obligations to protect trafficked persons participating in criminal proceedings; • Adherence to the requirement not to criminalise trafficked persons; and • Presenting examples of good practice from within the UK and abroad wherever possible. The ATMG was pleased to find examples of localised good practice and outstanding work by the police, prosecutors and judges that led to trafficking convictions. We found that successful trafficking prosecutions are commonly linked to areas where specialism is developed within the police and other criminal justice actors, or where multi-agency and international partnerships were put into place. The research found that such examples were often the product of individual efforts, dedication and deeper understanding of the problem. Unfortunately, these excellent examples do not represent the situation overall in the UK, as the CJS is yet to develop an efficient response to trafficking that tackles this egregious crime as a priority. The ATMG concludes that the UK is at risk of losing the fight against human trafficking unless it urgently develops a systematic criminal justice response. In particular, the ATMG is concerned that: 1. Human trafficking is not a policing priority despite the Government’s commitment to make the UK a hostile environment for traffickers; 2. There is no unified law against human trafficking in the statute books, often leaving criminal justice actors uncertain about how to identify the crime and prosecute traffickers; 3. Despite the steady increase in the number of potential trafficked persons identified, the number of traffickers punished for trafficking offences has decreased; 4. In comparison, evidence suggests that many trafficked persons are prosecuted for crimes they were compelled to commit while their traffickers enjoy impunity; 5. The impact of trafficking on victims is often misunderstood by criminal justice actors, resulting in inappropriate responses that hamper the trafficked persons’ ability to act as a witness and may potentially cause them further harm. Details: London: Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group, 2013. 162p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 16, 2013 at: http://www.ecpat.org.uk/sites/default/files/in_the_dock_atmg_2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ecpat.org.uk/sites/default/files/in_the_dock_atmg_2013.pdf Shelf Number: 129417 Keywords: Child TraffickingCriminal InvestigationCriminal ProsecutionHuman Trafficking (U.K.)Victims Services |
Author: Bricknell, Samantha Title: Male victims of non-sexual and non-domestic violence: Service needs and experiences in court Summary: While a great deal of research has been undertaken into female victims of violence, male-focused victimology research undertaken in Australia and internationally is scant. This means it is currently unclear what the support needs of male victims are and if these support needs are being met by the currently available services and programs. The findings of this report derive from a study commissioned by the NSW Department of Attorney General and Justice Victims Services that sought to address this knowledge gap by exploring the experiences and support needs of male victims of violence (excluding sexual assault and domestic violence) living in New South Wales. The study involved a comprehensive review of the currently available literature and interviews and focus groups with criminal justice and support service representatives who have contact with male victims of violence as part of their everyday work. Details: Canberra, Australia: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2013. 83p. Source: AIC Reports, Research and Public Policy Series 126: Internet Resource: Accessed January 13, 2014 at Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/rpp/126/rpp126.pdf Shelf Number: 131761 Keywords: Male Victims (Australia)Victims ServicesViolent Crime |
Author: Meyer, Silke Title: Victims' Experiences of Short- and Long-Term Safety and Wellbeing: Findings from an examination of an integrated response to domestic violence Summary: One in three Australian women experience domestic violence at some point during their adult life and it is women and their children who typically suffer the most severe short and long-term consequences of this violence. In this paper the findings are presented from an evaluation of a Queensland police-led integrated service response to domestic violence incidents that was designed to better address women and children's needs for short and long-term safety. The findings indicated that a significant improvement in women's self-rated safety and well-being was generated throughout the initial six-week support period. However, subsequent follow-up interviews with a sample of participants identified that the women had continued to experience a range of abuse, harassment and stalking after the initial support period had ended. This suggests a need to provide ongoing support to women and children escaping domestic violence, as well as a stronger focus on perpetrator accountability, if improvements to the safety and well-being of women and children escaping domestic violence are to be sustained. Details: Sydney: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2014. 7p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice No. 478: Accessed July 11, 2014 at: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi478.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi478.pdf Shelf Number: 132653 Keywords: Family ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceVictims of Family ViolenceVictims ServicesViolence Against Women |
Author: Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria Title: Specialist Family Violence Services: The Heart of an Effective System Summary: DV Vic welcomes the opportunity created by the Royal Commission into Family Violence to interrogate and strengthen the family violence system in Victoria. We believe that a stronger, more effective system will improve the safety and well-being of women and children experiencing family violence and reduce the incidence of serious harm through more effective and earlier interventions. It would also address the social and structural causes of violence against women through community prevention and policy and legislative reforms for gender inequality. There is little doubt that a comprehensive review of the Victorian family violence sector is urgently required. Notwithstanding the well-acknowledged and serious limitations on accurate family violence data, the available statistics paint a dire picture of the prevalence of family violence in Victoria. There were 68,134 police incident reports in 2014, an increase of 82.2 per cent since 2010. Over 25,104 women and children sought help from homelessness services in 2013-14 as a result of family violence. Contacts to family violence services report dramatic increases, community legal services are unable to meet the increasing demand for family violence-related matters, and the national referral and counselling service is unable to meet demand, reporting over 18,000 calls going unanswered this year. And this is a very partial reflection of the true extent of family violence. It does not capture self-referrals to family violence services, women who do not require homelessness services nor the numbers of women who haven't been in contact with any services about family violence. Unsurprisingly, the family violence system - specialist family violence services, legal services, the police, the courts, corrections, child protection - is struggling to cope under the weight of this unprecedented and growing demand. As community awareness about family violence increases, so do the pressures on the system to provide safety and future security for those experiencing it. There is reasonable community expectation that the family violence system is able to provide timely and effective responses but the evidence is overwhelming to show that it currently cannot. DV Vic does not believe that this is evidence of a system that is 'broken', rather it reflects a system that has evolved and adapted over decades in response to the growing and changing needs of women and children experiencing family violence, in the absence of a coherent and consistent policy platform and appropriate funding. Despite this, the family violence sector has achieved some significant reforms and built capacity in skills and practice to meet the increasing demand for services which should not be disregarded by the Commission. That said, DV Vic is acutely aware of gaps, barriers and concerns about the ways the family violence system responds to the safety and long-term well-being of women and children. In particular we recognise that there is a gaping hole in relation to perpetrator accountability across the system. However, we argue that the important and innovative sectoral reforms developed through the comprehensive and collaborative processes from 2002-2010 under the previous Labor government are not disregarded. These reforms were not fully implemented, being sidelined a by the incoming Coalition government. In our view, it is critical that these reforms are used as the basis to build future reforms of the system. That reform process involved a collaborative critical examination of the system and generated a variety of strategies to address identified gaps and barriers. DV Vic believes that these strategies remain highly pertinent to the work of the Royal Commission. Details: Melbourne: Domestic Violence Victoria, 2015. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 8, 2015 at: http://www.rcfv.com.au/getattachment/F655224B-FC9A-4F22-B7E5-63A720BA6FE1/Domestic-Violence-Victoria---02 Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.rcfv.com.au/getattachment/F655224B-FC9A-4F22-B7E5-63A720BA6FE1/Domestic-Violence-Victoria---02 Shelf Number: 136365 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceVictims of Family ViolenceVictims Services |
Author: Kirchengast, Tyrone Title: Participation of Victims of Crime in New South Wales Court Processed Summary: This is the Final Full Report of the study, Participation of Victims of Crime in NSW Court Processes. It presents the main analysis of data, findings and recommendations and may be read in conjunction with the Final Report - Executive Summary. An information sheet is also available. This study determines the extent of victim participation in NSW criminal courts via a four stage methodology by 1. scoping the current laws, regulations and rules that determine victim participation in NSW criminal courts, 2. surveying victims of crime as to their modes, expectations and levels of satisfaction with court participation, 3. interviews with justice officials as to their experience and expectations with victim participation in court, and 4. synthesis of a typology of modes of participation following the analysis of stages 1-3. 142 victims participated in the survey of victim expectations and 19 justice officials were interviewed in this study. Victims' self-identified across a range of injuries and harms that spanned family members of homicide victims, offences to the person, sexual and indecent assault, robbery, and fraud. Victims also identified other offences, specifically, domestic violence. Justice officials included judicial officers from all NSW criminal courts, members of the NSW State Parole Authority, Mental Health Review Tribunal, NSW Police, Police prosecutors, ODPP prosecutors and a solicitor working with victims of domestic violence. The data was assessed in the context of a thematic analysis that determined consistent points or issues of concern amongst survey participants. These themes were also used to group interview data and assess the ways in which justice officials categorised and permitted victim participation in court. Both victims and justice officials tended to conceptualise victim participation in terms of an adversarial exchange between state and offender, such that victims were usually always removed from court processes unless otherwise asked to attend to assist the state in its prosecution of crime. This led to a range of problems for victims regarding the representation of their interests, feelings of removal and at times ill treatment, from court processes that otherwise concern them. While some victims praised justice officials, specifically investigating police and police prosecutors in local court proceedings, other victims felt removed and excluded from the system, especially for longer or ongoing matters dealt with on indictment before judge and jury. Tests for significance and correlation between demographics and court processes indicated that certain victim groups had significantly different expectations of NSW court processes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ('ATSI') victims were less satisfied with overall court processes and sentencing than non-ATSI victims. Victims in rural and remote locations were less likely to want further participation, however, financial and property loss victims wanted greater participation. There were also statistical differences as to the perceived helpfulness of witness assistance officers by gender. The aims of this study sought to determine levels of victim participation generally including impediments to participation and as such the following recommends were made: that Victims Services NSW offers legal education to the criminal justice professions to further enhance the understanding and significance of victims' rights, to consider the potential role of victim advocates as professional members of the criminal justice system charged with supporting the victim throughout their justice journey, and to consider the characterisation of the Charter of Victims Rights as relevant to all justice officials. Recommendations for further research were also made in light of the outcomes of this study, in particular, to focus on the needs of identified victim groups to determine their acute needs with regard to court participation, and to determine the extent to which further assistance and organisation of services through an advocacy scheme affects the current role of service providers, including lawyers, the courts and judiciary, in terms of the overall coherence of the NSW criminal justice system. Details: Parramatta, NSW: Victims Services, NSW, 2014. 313p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 23, 2016 at: http://www.victimsclearinghouse.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Kirchengast_Victim%20Participation%20Study%20Final%20Report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.victimsclearinghouse.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Kirchengast_Victim%20Participation%20Study%20Final%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 138780 Keywords: Criminal CourtsVictims of CrimeVictims Services |
Author: Breckenridge, Jan Title: Service and support needs of specific population groups that have experiences child sexual abuse: Report for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Summary: The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission) contracted researchers from the Gendered Violence Research Network (GVRN) at UNSW Australia to provide a literature review on the support needs of specific population groups affected by institutional child sexual abuse. Two core questions were agreed with the Royal Commission to comprehensively address the focus of the literature review. These were: Question 1: Do different groups of survivors have distinctive service and support needs? Question 2: What does the research tell us about interventions targeted at specific groups and about the effectiveness of these interventions? This report distinguishes the particular support and service needs of victims of institutional child sexual abuse and how these needs may differ from victims of non-institutional child sexual abuse. In addition, it examines whether factors such as context, duration and perpetrator influence the nature and extent of longer-term effects on survivors. The literature presented relates specifically to services and support provided to three select population groups: - people who have experienced child sexual abuse in an institutional context - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - people with disability. The first group is of primary interest to the Royal Commission, while the latter two groups have been included because of their increased vulnerability to child sexual abuse compared with the general population, their long history of institutionalisation carried out as accepted government policy, and their continued over-representation in various forms of institutional care. However, it is important to note that the research on institutional child sexual abuse does not always distinguish between these population groups, and victims could potentially be at the intersection of all three. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse 2016. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 17, 2017 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/df1215dd-9351-4ccf-bc57-c7a210cf3e05/Service-and-support-needs-of-specific-population-g Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/df1215dd-9351-4ccf-bc57-c7a210cf3e05/Service-and-support-needs-of-specific-population-g Shelf Number: 144491 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseVictims of CrimesVictims of Sexual AbuseVictims Services |
Author: Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Title: Findings and Recommendations Relative to the Status of Domestic Abuse Intervention Programming in Louisiana Summary: This report provides an analysis of select aspects of domestic violence response in Louisiana, supplements information available from other sources, and identifies significant areas of remaining need in our state's domestic violence response. It is meant to give a voice to domestic violence survivors as it relates to their experience navigating various systems. Details: Baton Rouge: The Coalition, 2012. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 6, 2017 at: http://lcadv.org/wp-content/uploads/DAIP-Report-to-Legislature-02-20-12.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://lcadv.org/wp-content/uploads/DAIP-Report-to-Legislature-02-20-12.pdf Shelf Number: 147594 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceVictims ServicesViolence Against Women |