Evaluating Mental Health Services for Victims - Perspectives on Policies and Services in the United States (From Evaluating Victim Services, P 128-142, 1981, Susan E Salasin, ed. - See NCJ-85715)

• NCJ Number: 85722
• Author(s): R F Rich
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH30792-02
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article faults the lack of public understanding about the condition of victims for the inadequacy of integrated assistance services to victimized persons and for the lack of comprehensive policy in this regard at both the State and national levels.

Abstract

It describes widespread misconceptions about the needs of victims and faults victim programming for concentrating on compensation rather than on emotional and family assistance. It also reports a survey of 110 upper level State officials involved in mental health policymaking that was conducted as part of a research project on factors affecting implementation of comprehensive programming for victims. Most respondents classified all types of services to victims as low priority or not important. Notable exceptions were respondents from Wisconsin and South Dakota. A recently passed Wisconsin law establishing a victim compensation program offers significant assistance to victims and can serve as a model for other States. It is important to begin to construct criteria/indicators that can be used to evaluate successful victim programs. Particular emphasis should be placed on the development of outreach programs and comprehensive services for victims as well as for their families. Tabular data and three references are given.