victim services Archives

Spotlight: Supporting the Blamed

A picture is worth a thousand words. But, sometimes the subject of a picture does not (or cannot) consent for their words to be shared, especially on such a vast platform as the internet. Unfortunate...

IACP@Work

IACP@Work: Examining Intersections between Law Enforcement and Victims

Law enforcement–based victim services personnel are unique among advocates, social workers, and other helping professionals in the justice system. They have access to law enforcement agency perso...

Criminal Justice Reform

Answering the Call for Change

Like never before, there is a spotlight on law enforcement practices and how officers interact with their communities. A Gallup poll from 2020 reported that 52 percent of Americans do not have confi...

Victim Services

Building a Unit to Bridge the Gap

Imagine your loved one is murdered inside your home, and although you are grieving, you are responsible for finding someone to clean the crime scene, planning and paying for a funeral, understanding t...

IACP@Work

IACP@Work: Enhanced Victim Response

Every person working in a law enforcement agency has a role in victim response. federal, state, local, campus, or tribal law Enforcement Personnel are traditionally the first professionals to interac...

Legal

Domestic Violence Court Cases: How Investigators Can Legally Surmount the Obstacle of Absent Victims

An often-frustrating element of domestic violence investigations is the ever-present possibility of witness intimidation. Often a victim in a case will make a full statement to responding officers suf...

IACP@Work

IACP@Work: Meeting the Critical Needs of Crime Victims through Effective Response

Victims of crime are tasked with navigating complex systems in which they did not ask to participate. Their ability to meaningfully engage in the criminal justice process is often challenged by the s...

The Brief

The Brief: Law Enforcement–Based Victim Services—Strong Foundations Lead to Improved Victim Outcomes

Victim-centered responses and services are vital to the safety, stability, and healing of crime victims, as their use reduces and prevents future victimization....