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.