Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
a) Target
Populations
Programs shall aid violent crime victims and witnesses in
their contacts with the criminal justice system and with problems resulting
from their victimization.
b) Mandatory Services for all Victim/Witness
Programs
In addition to providing the services set forth in Section
1100.70(a)(3),
programs intending to apply for funding to serve all types of violent crime
victims and witnesses must:
1) Provide
information to victims and witnesses periodically throughout the case
investigation, arrest, charging procedures and court process.
2) Provide supportive listening and advocacy
to victims and witnesses in all cases upon request of the victim or
witness.
3) Coordinate its services
with other community resources in order to promote the effectiveness of
assistance to crime victims.
c) Additional Mandatory Services for Programs
in Prosecution Offices
Programs in prosecution offices, in addition to the mandatory
services set forth in subsection (b), must:
1) Provide for notification of victims and
witnesses in advance of court dates to minimize inconvenience and unnecessary
court appearances whenever possible. A program should utilize an on-call system
for victims and witnesses.
2)
Establish procedures to aid violent crime victims in the prompt return of their
property.
3) Provide information to
a crime victim to assist in preparing a victim impact statement as provided in
Section 6 of the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act.
4) Provide employer and school intervention
services relating to loss of time from work or school due to court appearances
or victim recovery.
d)
Recommended Services
The following list is intended to serve as recommendations
for the development of a comprehensive victim and witness program. Not all
programs will be able to provide all of the listed services, and some programs
may be able to provide services in addition to those listed. For a victim and
witness program to comprehensively address the needs of crime victims and
witnesses, however, these service elements should be provided in addition to
the required services:
1) Staff to
respond to crime scenes and provide intervention and support for victims and
witnesses.
2) Bilingual services;
interpretive services for those who have a speech, sight or hearing disability;
and promotion of culturally competent responses to victims and
witnesses.
3) Special efforts to
reduce the burdens that prevent victims and witnesses from participating in the
criminal justice system. Appropriate services may include, but need not be
limited to, transportation, language interpretation, secure waiting areas,
child care, lodging arrangements for out-of-town witnesses and
parking.
4) Training to individuals
who have direct contact with a victim in order to increase their sensitivity
and effectiveness in relation to the consequences of victimization and the
problems of victim recovery.
5)
Public education to increase public awareness of the problems of crime victims
in order to improve the relationship between victims and the criminal justice
system.
