Gaining Insight, Taking Action: Basic Skills for Serving Victims DVD and Companion Guidebook

• NCJ Number: 232780
• Date Published: April 2011
• Length: 89 pages
• Publication Series: OVC Videos
• Grant Number(s): 95-MU-GX-K002
• Agencies: OVC
• Publication Type: Instructional Material

Annotation

This resource packet consists of a consolidated DVD and discussion guide that provides access to three videos and companion guides that were originally released as part of the 2005 National Victim Assistance Academy curriculum.

Abstract

The DVD and guide are valuable training tools for a broad range of service providers, criminal and juvenile justice professionals, mental health providers, legal advocates, and other audiences who want to better understand how to communicate effectively with crime victims, the challenges faced by underserved victim populations, and the relationship between substance abuse and victimization. One video, "Listen to My Story: Communicating With Victims of Crime," covers the basics of communicating with traumatized crime victims in five segments, thus exploring the potential effects of crime on the emotional and psychological well-being of victims. Subjects include how to listen compassionately and how to build trust between victim and service provider. "Meeting the Needs of Underserved Victims" addresses the challenges faced by underserved victim populations in accessing comprehensive and effective victim populations in accessing comprehensive and effective victim services in seven topical segments. These groups include victims with various types of disabilities, victims in isolated communities, inner-city youth, female migrant workers, and victims of hate crimes. "Substance Abuse and Victimization" offers insights in the pre-victimization and post-victimization correlations between substance abuse and victimization, covering victims who may turn to drugs or alcohol after a crime or whose vulnerability to victimization may have been increased by their own use of drugs or alcohol. The information is presented in three segments, including the importance of collaboration in assisting these victims. For each segment of the DVD, there is a corresponding section in the discussion guide. Each section provides a framework for moderating a discussion. This includes questions designed to initiate discussion of the issues raised in the segment.