Core Elements and Challenges
The success of the rural law enforcement-based victim service programs developed or enhanced through the OVC grant appeared to be linked to some or all of the 10 elements described below. Note that many of the elements come with challenges to surmount.
- Support at All Levels
- Coordination and Collaboration
- Advisory Committee
- Dedicated Staff
- Information Gathering
- Implementation Plan
- Training
- Provision of Services
- Community Awareness
- Tools for Success
Developing and sustaining law enforcement-based victim service programs may require similar tasks across rural, urban, and suburban sites. However, the impetus for creating the program, challenges to establishing and maintaining it, and approaches used to overcome challenges may be unique to each type of location. Sites funded through this OVC grant had to cope with common challenges facing rural areas. See Introduction for a list of these challenges.