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Crime Victim Rights–New DOJ Report

November 30, 2009

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The Rand Corporation recently completed a process evaluation of the National Center for Victims of Crime of the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) Victims’

Rights Clinics. The NCVLI clinics are intended to promote awareness, education, and enforcement of victims’ rights in the criminal justice system. The process evaluationaddressed a variety of issues including: clinic activities, acceptance by judges and prosecutors, staff training, client selection, and suggested improvements to clinic operations.

The researchers conducted interviews with clinic staff, criminal justice officials and clients. In addition to the interviews researchers conducted site visits which included focus groups with clinic clients. Some of the implementation challenges identified in the evaluation were: resistance of prosecutors and judges to the idea of victims being represented by attorneys in court, high staff turnover and inexperience, demand for services, and sustainability.

Initial findings indicate that the clinics are beginning to meet their goals and that the clinics that build on the networks and reputations of experienced clinic directors have an easier time gaining clients and the cooperation of judges and prosecutors.

The full report, a Process Evaluation of the NCVLI Victims’ Rights Clinics, Finally Getting Victims Their Due is available at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/228389.pdf .

Tagged as: crime victims, DOJ, research, Victim Rights

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