Victim Services: Tips for Working with Victims

DO's:

• Take time to listen and let victims tell their story.
• Be courteous and patient.
• Use clear, understandable language.
• Give information on the juvenile justice system, how it works, and what they can expect.
• Observe victim confidentiality.
• Offer assistance and resources for crime compensation, counseling and advocacy.
• Tell victims that you are sorry for what happened to them.
• Explain how restitution is handled in the juvenile system in your circuit.
• Ask victims about the offense and its impact on them and their families and friends (Listen for statements about the emotional, physical and financial impact of the crime).
• Ask what they would like to see happen to the offender.
• Ask if they have recommendations for community service placement, such as favorite charities or recommendations for other conditions of supervision.
• Ask if they want to be kept updated about the status of their case and the offender and, if they do, keep them updated.
• Ask if there are any safety or security concerns. For example: Are they threatened, harassed or intimidated by the offender?
• Accept the victim's point of view and let them vent.

DONT's

• Don't tell victims you "know how they feel."
• Don't use departmental or other jargon.  Don't use acronyms.
• Don't minimize the offense.
• Don't become defensive or argumentative.
• Don't tell victims how many cases you have or how busy you are (their case is the only case for them).
• Don't pass victims on to someone else.
• Don't tell victims your story of victimization or try to top their story.
• Don't make promises you can't keep.  For example: "I'll get you restitution."
• Don't cut victims off or tell them how they should feel.
• Don't disregard their safety or security concerns.

For more information or to request a training, please contact the Office of Victim Services via email here or call toll-free at 1-866-922-6360.