Let's Talk About the Science of Victims' Services: Talking Points for Advocates

A summary of empirical research that policymakers may consider about victims' services

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Victim Services Threatened by a Depleted Perpetrator-Financed Crime Victims Fund

Created to explain the purpose of services funded by the Crime Victims Fund (CVF).

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Address Confidentiality

• Why it's Important

• Current State of Confidentiality

• Confidentiality and the Internet​

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• ​Possible Solutions

• Key Takeaways

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Violence Against Indigenous Women

• Magnitude of the Issue​​

• Current/Proposed Legislation

  • Savannah's Act​

  • Tribal Access Program

• What Can be Done?

  • Established research-based community prevention programs​

  • Collaborate with community members to move towards comprehensive, long-term prevention programs

  • Help to establish more resources for Indigenous women escaping violence

• Key Takeaways​

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Victim Compensation

• Funding Victim Compensation

• Victim Compensation Program Services and Requirements for Access

• Addressing Barriers for Victims Accessing Compensation

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How Policymakers and Practitioners Can Facilitate Disclosure and Help-Seeking

• Barriers to disclosure​

• Unique considerations regarding disclosure for minor victims of violence 

• Alleviating barriers to disclosure

  • Helping victims of violence navigate ​legal and advocacy systems and the VAWA petitioning process

  • Addressing victims' basic needs

  • Providing population-specific information and services

    • Male victims​

    • Children and youth

    • Victims with disabilites

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Ensuring Services for Victims of Crime: Penalty Financing and Local Coordination

• Victim Needs and Service Providers

• Victims Service Providers (VSPs)

  • ​Evidence-based trauma therapies

  • Housing assistance

  • Criminal and civil justice system assistance

  • Advocacy organizations

• Broken Pathways to Service Access

  • ​Inequities in access to services and care exist.

  • Add'l considerations: Race & gender

• How to better serve victims and protect the providers that assist them

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Collaborative Efforts for the Prevention of Family Violence

• Findings:

  • Data and information sharing

  • Lack of communication

• Potential Solutions:

  • Centralizing the location of services

    • A centralized lo​cal government building

    • School

• Individuals who can facilitate successful collaboration​

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Two-Generation Approach to Family Violence

• Challenges

• Relevant Legislation

  • Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)​

  • Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)

  • Family Violence Prevention Services Act (FVPSA)

  • Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Visiting Program (MIECHV)

•  Stumbling Blocks​

• Opportunities for Improvement

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Quality Implementation of Trauma Informed Care 

•  Components of trauma-informed response systems

• Examples of shifting law enforcement responses to trauma​

• Key Resources 

  • Guidelines and fact sheets

  • Policy recommendations

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Child (Trauma)  Informed Care

•  Strategies & barriers 

• Key Resources 

  • Briefs & recent legislation

  • Report from GAO

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