Field-Generated Solutions to Improve Services for Victims

The purpose of this award, funded under the OVC FY 2019 Field-Generated Program to Improve Services for Victims of Crime, will support an innovative, field-generated approach to address gaps in the availability of resources for crime victims. This award is made under Purpose Area 3: Improving Responses to Victims of Burglary. Projects funded under this purpose area will support the design and implementation of programs targeted at increasing the quality, quantity, and accessibility of services for burglary victims.

RTI International, with partner, the Minnesota Alliance on Crime (MAC), will use this award to design and implement a police-based program aimed at reducing the negative impact of residential burglary and increasing victim access to services. The project, the Enhanced Victim Service Model (EVSM), will be implemented in two locations: Redlands, CA, and St. Paul, MN. Combined, these two agencies respond to more than 2,000 residential burglaries per year. The EVSM will focus on four dimensions of police interaction with burglary victims: (1) open communication between the agency and the victim about their case and expectations for the investigation; (2) delivery of information about their case or other actions to take as a result of their victimization, (3) safety planning to prevent revictimization, and (4) connection of victims with community resources to assist with addressing the emotional trauma, financial distress, and safety and security issues that often arise as a result of burglary victimization. RTI will conduct a comprehensive program evaluation that will include an outcome assessment, process evaluation, fidelity assessment, and assessment of program cost. Key outcomes will include knowledge of available victim services, number of victims using services, satisfaction with victim services, and dimensions of police-community relations such as confidence and trust in the police.

CA/NCF