NCJ Number
249063
Date Published
April 2014
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This publication informs crime victims with the disability of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) of the rights and services available to them as crime victims.
Abstract
People with ASD who have trouble communicating with others, particularly strangers in positions of authority, may be reluctant to report their criminal victimization and request help for the losses, distress, and difficulties incurred due to the crime. Most States guarantee certain rights of crime victims in their constitutions and/or laws. These rights are outlined in this publication. It is emphasized that under Federal law, victims with disabilities are entitled to accommodations needed to access their rights as victims, Accommodations may include assistance in understanding the rights available to crime victims. This may include the use of special communication devices and provision for special conditions under which interactions within the criminal justice system are conducted. Victims with ASD are urged to contact local or State Victim Assistance Programs, which have access to a network of community services, including those designed for victims with ASD. State programs for crime victims also typically provide compensation to pay for services needed to restore crime victims to the mental, physical, and financial security they enjoyed prior to the harms inflicted by the crime. A listing of 12 resources