NCJ Number
253466
Date Published
September 2018
Length
86 pages
Annotation
This report reflects the discussions held during the May 19, 2018, international symposium on Supporting Victims of Terrorism, which was held in Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
This report describes primary needs of terrorism victims and offers guidance, practical solutions, good practices, and some examples of good practices in various countries. The symposium members advise that a high-quality response to terrorism victims should build on a number of basic principles. First, understand that short-term and long-term terrorism victim needs are intertwined. Second, the foundation for an effective response is a victim-centered perspective that incorporates listening to individual victims, so as to identify their needs. Third, sufficient advance planning and preparation is the foundation of a comprehensive response to terrorism victims. Fourth, effective coordination at the time of a terrorist attack stems from a network established in the preparatory phase. The major chapters of this report focus on the characteristics of victims of terrorism, their needs, victim groups that are particularly vulnerable, and principles for supporting victims of terrorism. Appendixes discuss responses to various scenarios of terrorist attacks and present a compendium of resources on support for victims of terrorism.