Victim Services Research Articles

ANALYSIS OF WOMEN’S SERVICE NETWORKS IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SERVICES

This article proposes a critical analysis of women's care networks in the Northeast of Brazil, focusing on support services for victims of violence and the promotion of women's health and rights. The research aims to identify the main challenges faced by care networks in the region and explore possible strategies for improving the effectiveness of these services. The analysis will be based on a combination of literature review, secondary data analysis.

Law Enforcement Agency Practices and Policies for the Investigation of Child Sex Trafficking: Are Agencies Using Victim-Centered Approaches?

AbstractOver the past decade, efforts have been made to reform the way in which law enforcement responds to child sex trafficking (CST). Law enforcement agencies are being urged or required to use victim-centered approaches that provide exploited youth with support and services. However, researchers have yet to empirically examine law enforcement’s recognition of CST at the agency-level, their arrest practices, or the services that are being offered to CST victims. We have little information about the utilization and effectiveness of various law enforcement agency policies, practices and training programs related to CST. The National Law Enforcement Agency Child Sex Trafficking (LEA-CST) Study aimed to address these gaps through a national survey of law enforcement agencies around the U.S. The current study reports on mail survey data collected from a sample of 1,306 agencies that provided feedback on the use of up to nine victim-centered approaches to CST at their agency. Data were analyzed along with information about whether their agency investigated at least one case of CST in the year 2021. Almost all agencies (97.5%) said they used or had access to at least one victim-centered approach to CST investigations, with larger agencies reporting a greater number of approaches. Two policies were significantly related to a greater likelihood of investigating at least one case of CST in 2021: Access to a CST-specific task force and access to a CST-specific victim service agency. Findings document a growing orientation to these cases by law enforcement that recognizes youth victimization, with innovative approaches to identification and support. Community collaboration appears to be critical to helping to identify, support and provide justice to CST victims.Research Summary This study examined law enforcement’s recognition of CST at the agency-level, their arrest practices, and the services that are being offered to CST victims. Among 1,306 agencies across the United States, almost all (97.5%) said they used or had access to at least one victim-centered approach to CST investigations, with larger agencies reporting a greater number of approaches. Two policies were significantly related to a greater likelihood of investigating at least one CST case in 2021: Access to a CST-specific task force and access to a CST-specific victim service agency.Policy Implications Findings from the current study underscore the importance of victim-centered approaches to CST that feature connections and collaborations across communities. These collaborations champion the wellness of youth who have experienced this unique and egregious form of sexual victimization while simultaneously allowing for criminal investigations to proceed, ideally with minimal re-traumatization of the victim.

An Exploration of the Knowledge and Current Practices of Frontline Workers Regarding Elder Abuse.

Annually, approximately 16% of adults aged 60 and older are victims of abuse in community settings. A critical first step toward effectively intervening and reducing the prevalence of elder abuse is to better understand the current state of knowledge, beliefs, and practices. This qualitative descriptive study explored the perceptions of US frontline community workers regarding elder abuse through focus groups and interviews conducted in the spring and summer of 2021. Participants represented various aging and victim services (n = 9), healthcare (n = 7), and law enforcement (n = 8). Thematic data analysis led to the emergence of three major themes in our data: societal influence, individual circumstances, and nature of abuse. Our findings point out several directions in which researchers and policymakers can begin moving the field forward. These include the need to focus on prevention strategies as well as the need to reduce ageist beliefs and attitudes.

“Increasing Demands and Competing Priorities”: How Organizational Structure Affects Worker Well-Being in the Victim Services Field

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of organizational structure on worker well-being in victim services in Canada. With data collected from 915 survey respondents, 24 semi-structured interviews, and 19 focus group participants, we found that although there are many aspects that negatively affect worker well-being (e.g. lack of funding, inadequate compensation, understaffing, large caseloads), positive aspects helped ameliorate the negative (e.g. a positive team environment, support from supervisors, flexibility and autonomy within the position, and witnessing client resilience). Given the increases in workload and stress stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to understand the current landscape of worker well-being.

Routine activities and consumer fraud victimization: findings from a social survey in Chiba Prefecture, Japan

AbstractRecently, Japan has been grappling with various forms of consumer fraud. Consumer fraud victimization causes not only monetary losses but also nonmonetary costs such as emotional stress and psychological trauma. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the factors associated with the risk of consumer fraud victimization in order to identify vulnerable groups and implement suitable prevention measures. Consequently, this study aims to analyze the sociodemographic and routine activity factors associated with consumer fraud victimization risk in Japan. Drawing on data from a social survey of residents in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, this study employs a series of logistic regression models. This study demonstrates that while using social networking services is unrelated to respondents’ likelihood of experiencing consumer fraud victimization, the frequency of contacting individuals whom respondents have only met online was statistically linked to increased consumer fraud risk. Additionally, only 10.7 to 31.9% of respondents were aware of the available support services for victims of consumer fraud and related issues. This study proposes that social networking providers could aid in preventing consumer fraud by displaying warning messages when users send messages, alerting them to possible threats.

Compounding Institutional Exclusion and Harm: A case study of federally funded Alaskan anti-trafficking service providers

Federal funds for human trafficking victim programmes and services in the United States have increased from approximately USD 10 million in 2002 to more than USD 90 million in 2022. This increase in fund availability, however, has not necessarily translated into meaningful or accessible services for trafficking survivors. This paper examines the distribution of Department of Justice anti-trafficking funds through the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), particularly looking at OVC recipients in Alaska. It highlights certain trends in OVC funding in the state, including changes in funding distribution, the emphasis on task force creation and collaboration between service providers and law enforcement, and discussions of equity and inclusion. The paper further explores institutional mechanisms of exclusion and harm of some victims, complexities in collaborating with law enforcement, criminalisation of trafficking survivors, and criteria to qualify for services. As the reality faced by trafficking survivors does not always align with OVC narratives, these mechanisms are illustrated through the experiences of a sex trafficking survivor who has been turned away as not qualifying for services by many of the OVC funded providers in Alaska. The paper concludes by exploring the implications of this research for policymakers and service providers.

How I as a Fundraiser Would Use Twenty Million Dollars for Anti-Trafficking Work

Representations of human trafficking in film and media have widely missed the mark by misinforming the public and funders and harming those with lived experience. This has real implications for the anti-trafficking movement, including a lack of sufficient financial support for victim services and the failure to implement long-term systemic change. To change this, this article argues that we must invest in narrative change around human trafficking, under the leadership of those with lived experience. If done well, this could potentially bring additional funding for services by reaching the wider public, and even move the needle on trafficking prevention.

Understanding the Challenges in the Anti-Human Trafficking Movement in Florida

Florida ranks third in the United States for prevalence rates of human trafficking, but there are still clear gaps in the way we address human trafficking in terms of prevention, intervention, and treatment. To better understand the gaps in services for human trafficking survivors from the perspective of the providers who serve them, we conducted in-depth interviews with anti-trafficking stakeholders in Florida. This comprehensive gap analysis helped shed light on the areas needed to effectively assist human trafficking survivors. This article presents literature on the scope of human trafficking and victim service provision, followed by a presentation of the current study, its methodology and results, and concludes with a discussion of the general implications of these findings as well as practical applications of the results of this study.

Covid-19 Pandemic's impact on socio-emotional problems experienced by victims of violence with disabilities

BackgroundStudies on the emotional well-being of individuals with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic focused on the beginning of the pandemic and omitted the experiences of victims with disabilities. ObjectiveWe compared socio-emotional problems experienced by victims of violence with and without disabilities before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. MethodsWe conducted regression analysis using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey to examine the differences in socio-emotional problems experienced by violent crime victims with and without disabilities before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. We conducted descriptive analyses to explore patterns of receiving victim services. ResultsMale victims without disabilities had lower odds of socio-emotional problems than female and male victims with disabilities before and throughout the pandemic. Female victims with disabilities had higher odds of socio-emotional problems than male victims with disabilities and female victims without disabilities before and during the first year of the pandemic. After the first year of the pandemic, female victims with and without disabilities and male victims with disabilities had no significant differences in their odds of experiencing socio-emotional problems. A higher percentage of victims received services during the pandemic in comparison to these patterns before the pandemic. After the first year of the pandemic, there was a notable increase in the percentage of female victims with and without disabilities and percentage of male victims with disabilities receiving victim services. ConclusionsOur findings underline the disproportionate effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on socio-emotional well-being of victims with disabilities and especially female victims with disabilities.

Social Intervention That Facilitates Recovery from Gender-Based Violence: Dialogic Reconstruction of Memory

Services for victims of gender-based violence are an interdisciplinary work space where the recovery of women and, thus, preventing their social exclusion are among the main objectives. Although previous scientific literature provides some indicators of the social impact of these services, that is, the improvements in the lives of these women, and allow them to advance in their recovery, it is necessary to deepen and broaden this knowledge. One of the objectives of the SOLNET R&D research was to more comprehensively identify the indicators of the social impact of these interventions. This objective was achieved by carrying out 8 case studies and a total of 56 interviews—32 of which involved women who were victims of violence—in third-sector organisations that tend to women victims in 7 different regions of Spain. The results of our research show that the dialogical reconstruction of the memory of violence contributes to overcoming one of the main barriers to women’s recovery: emotional dependency. To achieve this impact, the dialogic reconstruction of memory should focus on changing the image these women have of the abuser and the conceptions of love associated with violence. These results have important implications for the design and evaluation of interventions carried out in services for women victims of gender-based violence. The application of these results can help these women successfully leave the situation of violence and build a violence-free future.

Komunikasi Inovasi Jasa Raharja Cabang Riau Dalam Mengimplementasikan Pelayanan Santunan Online Korban Kecelakaan Di Kota Pekanbaru

Innovation communication is a way of conveying the discovery of new ideas to society so that social change occurs. A new innovation that is a solution to Jasa Raharja services which is caused by the high number of accidents in Pekanbaru City. In-person support services take a lot of time and take a long time, online updates make it easier for users of these support services. This research aims to analyze the communication innovation of raharja services in implementing online compensation services for accident victims in Pekanbaru city. This research uses qualitative research methods, with data collection techniques using interviews and analyzing the media used in the innovation diffusion process. As for determining research subjects, a purposive technique was used with five informants, then the data analysis technique used Miles and Huberman data analysis techniques which included data collection, data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawing. This research uses Rogers and Shoemaker's theory of diffusion of innovation. This theory examines messages in the form of new ideas or thoughts, which cause social change.From the research results, this innovation communication has 4 stages, namely. In this research it can be concluded based on the results of the analysis using Roger's theory which has 4 points, This innovation distribution explains that the involvement of communicators provides information in the form of socialization in the form of a content that states information about how to claim or submit compensation from Jasa Raharja. A communicator does not only work alone, this communicator is the Head of Public Relations, Jasa Raharja, who works together with the compensation service staff to collaborate with the community to make it easier and more affordable. With new innovations, since 2009, compensation services for accident victims have gone from conventional forms to online services. This communication channel uses social media, namely in the form of Instagram and Tik Tok, then uses print media, television media and radio media. By implementing the Innovation Division, it has made progress, but of course there are still new innovations, of course this is influenced by factors that hinder the establishment of this innovation, one of which is awareness. The awareness of users or local people who use vehicles in traffic, whether land, sea or air, of course they do not have awareness.

Help-Seeking from Victim Services, Personal Networks, and Reporting to Police: Stalking Victim Behaviors from the 2019 NCVS Supplemental Victimization Survey.

Understanding the predictors of stalking victimization, help-seeking behaviors of stalking victims, and their reporting to police can help law enforcement and advocates improve systems and ensure they are accessible and useful to victims. Existing stalking research focuses heavily on campus-based stalking, non-nationally representative populations, and/or dated data collection methods, such as the 2006 National Crime Victimization Survey, Supplemental Victimization Survey (NCVS-SVS), an instrument that has been updated according to current stalking definitions. This study employs the latest 2019 NCVS-SVS to analyze its new stalking screening questions and additional variables. We identified predictors of (a) stalking victimization, (b) help-seeking from victim-serving agencies, (c) help-seeking from personal networks, and (d) reporting to police. Predictors of stalking victimization included younger age, identifying as female, identifying as not heterosexual, household incomes below $50,000, and any college attendance. Victims who knew their offenders (intimate or non-intimate) were more likely than victims of stranger stalking to seek help from victim-serving agencies and personal networks. Younger victims were more likely to seek help from personal networks. None of the variables we examined predicted reporting to police. This study shows the characteristics of stalking victims have stayed consistent over time but highlights an ongoing need for resources for victims of stranger stalking, who may not know about or be able to access stalking services that are offered by intimate partner violence agencies. Future research around stalking victim characteristics should focus on populations that are newly included in national stalking data, such as those who identify as transgender and sexual identity minorities.

Change in Depression Severity Among Depressed Older Crime Victims.

The crime rates in urban centers are rising. The psychological impact of crime can range from distress to longstanding mental health impairment. Despite the rising crime rates and psychological impact on victims, little research has been conducted on older adult crime victims' mental health. In this manuscript we describe the profile of older adult crime victims in New York City referred for mental health services, their rates of depression, and the preliminary outcome data from a brief therapy intervention (PROTECT) targeting depression among victims. Building on prior research demonstrating the efficacy of PROTECT for depressive symptom reduction in elder abuse victims, the present study hypothesized elder crime victims who completed PROTECT therapy would demonstrate clinically meaningful depression symptom reduction as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Additionally, it was hypothesized that these clinically significant depression symptom reductions would be demonstrated regardless of sex, gender, victimization type, victimization frequency, or living status. The results demonstrate that 67.7% (21/31) of participants had a clinically significant reduction in PHQ-9 scores (≥5 points) upon completion of PROTECT. There were no significant group differences in clinically significant depression symptom reduction, suggesting that PROTECT is an effective intervention for a diverse sample of elder crime victims. Future research should focus on the mental health impact of crime against older adults and explore reductions in anxiety and PTSD symptoms among crime victims. Through our partnerships we aim to bridge the divide between victim service providers, and mental health service providers to assist victims to recover, heal, and thrive.

LGBTQIA+ Individuals' Experiences With Intimate Partner Violence and Perceptions of Victim Services.

This study explored lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Seven participants completed a one-on-one, in-depth interview to share their experiences of IPV and any internal or external factors that influenced whether they sought support services or reported victimization. Thematic analysis revealed four overarching themes: (a) health complications, (b) coping mechanisms, (c) barriers to seeking professional help, and (d) suggestions for professionals. Results contribute insight into internal and external barriers LGBTQIA+ IPV survivors face when accessing support services and outline practical approaches for professionals providing support to LGBTQIA+ IPV survivors.

Servicio de atención y acompañamiento emergente a víctimas de violencia en Salamanca, México (víctimas indirectas de desaparición, homicidio y feminicidio)

El artículo contiene un análisis del Servicio de Atención Emergente a Víctimas indirectas de homicidio, desaparición y feminicidio (SAAEV) desarrollado por el gobierno municipal de Salamanca, Guanajuato en México entre el año 2021 y 2024. Este programa es único a nivel municipal por los retos que impone a la administración pública. El objetivo es describir sus principales características, contexto de violencia donde surgió, perfil de los usuarios e identificación de sus principales problemas. La intención es someterlo a un grupo de investigadores expertos de la Red Internacional ALEC para proponer un conjunto de recomendaciones, asesoría y apoyo en la construcción de políticas públicas replicables con impacto social.

Temporary Trust: Legal Cynicism, Protection, and the Paradox of Victim Participation in Justice

Victims in China, including sexual victims, often distrust legal institutions yet continue to seek protection from them. However, few studies have examined why and how this so-called paradox has emerged in the Chinese context. Drawing on including in-depth interviews with victims of sexual harassment, this study illuminates how sex victims persist in calling on the police and relying on legal authorities despite the widespread cynicism toward them. The analysis suggests that victims ultimately turn to legal agencies because they have fairly limited options for seeking justice in China, where the provision of victim services through non-state channels is severely inadequate. By temporarily turning to legal authorities, victims are at least made visible and heard by the state. Despite stigmatizing and burdensome experiences with the law, they participate in the justice system merely for recognition and tangible protection, leaving them with no “way out” and exacerbating their disadvantages in society.

Rapid assistance for victims of acute violence-Current treatment in outpatient trauma clinics in Germany

Assistance following acute violence was previously regulated by the Victim Compensation Act (OEG). At the beginning of the current year it was replaced by the Social CodeXIV (SGBXIV). The SGBXIV defines new groups of beneficiaries, outpatient trauma clinics must be provided nationwide and binding criteria for the quality of care were established. The aim of this study was to map the current status of care in outpatient trauma clinics in accordance with the requirements of the new SGBXIV. With respect to new beneficiaries, the status of services for victims of human trafficking was recorded as an example. Outpatient clinics that provide rapid assistance under the OEG or SGBXIV were surveyed on structural and content-related aspects of their work. An online survey consisting of 10thematic modules was used. Data were obtained from atotal of N = 110 outpatient clinics (response rate 50%). The participating outpatient clinics reported awide range in terms of the number of staff and the number of people seeking counselling. Some of the outpatient clinics reported deficits with respect to structural aspects, such as the waiting time for the initial consultation and specific training in trauma treatment for staff. The majority of outpatient clinics were uncertain about how to deal with victims of human trafficking. Outpatient trauma clinics appear to reach their target population and provide appropriate services for their care; however, asignificant number of outpatient clinics need to make improvements in order to fulfil the quality criteria of SGBXIV and provide adequate care to new groups of beneficiaries.

Child Sexual Abuse in Nigeria: A Systematic Review.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major social and public health issue that creates short- and long-lasting impacts on victims, families, and society. While global researchers have considered the topic of CSA since the 19th century, the Nigerian context has been largely ignored. Yet, without sufficient evidence and understanding, making changes to practices and policies becomes almost impossible. The review aimed to gain insights into the nature and extent of CSA and identify areas for improvement in practice and research in Nigeria. This article presents the findings of a systematic review of 31 empirical articles related to CSA in Nigeria. Using key search terms along Boolean operators and truncation, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ASSIA, PILOTS, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar were searched. A total of 1,325 studies were found, and 31 empirical studies, including 20 quantitative, 9 qualitative, and 2 mixed methods studies, were included. The review findings reveal the discourse on CSA and delve into various aspects such as its prevalence, manifestation patterns, root causes, management, and consequential impact on victims and societal domains. The gaps in the existing literature are identified and explored to identify areas for improvement in victim services, societal awareness, and healthcare practices and relevant policies. The sociocultural norms not only heightened children's vulnerability to sexual abuse but also posed significant barriers to them disclosing such abuse. Survivors of CSA often receive inadequate care, indicating a pressing need for improvements in this area. Implications for research, policy, and conclusion were discussed.

Telemental Health Assessment and Implications for Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Settings.

Violence and abuse in rural America are exacerbated by limited access to support services for victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) due to family connections with people in positions of authority, geographic isolation, transportation barriers, stigma of abuse, lack of available shelters and affordable housing, poverty as a barrier to care, and other challenges. Victims of abuse who live in small communities may be well-acquainted with local health care providers and often voter-elected law enforcement officers. Individuals may fear being seen walking into a mental health clinic, with subsequent (and reality-based) fear that deter them from seeking help. Thus, advances in technology are becoming a much-needed option. Although telehealth has been used for some time in rural health settings, only in more recent years has there been an increase toward quality trauma-informed care. With increasing focus on the impact of social determinants of health, agencies continue to shift to telehealth to provide virtual support. Specifically, telehealth visits can potentially extend the reach of the limited number of primary care and mental health providers to those who are significantly in need of services. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(10), 25-30.].

Service Model for Women's and Children's Violence Victims of Collaborative Governance and Delivery Service

Purpose: This research aims to determine the Model of Assistance Services for Victims of Violence against Women and Children Based on Collaborative Governance and Delivery Service in the Musi Banyuasin Resort Police Crime and Investigation Unit. Method: This research uses qualitative research. The data sources in this research are Primary Data obtained from respondents' answers during interviews and Secondary Data obtained from documentation at the Women and Children Services Unit (PPA) of the Musi Banyuasin Resort Police Crime and Investigation Unit. Data collection techniques in this research use library studies and field research, and data analysis techniques in this research consist of data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions and verification. Result and Discussion: The results of this research show that the service methods implemented to help victims of violence against women and children in the Musi Banyuasin Resort Police Criminal and Investigation Unit have been effective. They have provided various ways for the public to report problems and request consultation. Meanwhile, in Musi Banyuasin Regency, there are still several weaknesses in running this service even though it generally runs well. Research also suggests that the best way to assist women and child victims of violence is through close collaboration between the government and service providers, as implemented in the counseling program called Si Mapan. Implication of the Research: This research provides a better understanding of how support services for victims of violence against women and children can be improved through a collaborative approach to governance and service delivery. This can guide authorities in developing policies and practices related to the protection of women and children victims of violence in Musi Banyuasin Regency and possibly elsewhere. Originality/Value: This research is valuable because it introduces a new approach to assistance services for victims of violence against women and children, focusing on collaboration in government and service delivery (collaborative governance and service delivery).