JCVVS Newsletter
December 2007
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Spring 2008 Academic Courses |
Academic courses related to victimology/victim
services offered by the three universities are posted
on the JCVVS web page. Many of these courses are
offered in non-traditional formats, such as web-based
and weekend workshops.
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American Symposium on Victimology |
Plenary speakers for the 2008 American Symposium
on Victimology scheduled for March 5-7 at Fresno
Pacific University have been identified. Paul Friday will
open the Symposium with a presentation entitled
21st Century Victims: The Challenge for Theory
and Research. On Thursday, March 6, Jeffrey
Sedgwick, Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics,
will present the plenary session The Scope and
Extent of Fraud Victimization in the United States:
Measurement, Quantification, and Reporting.
Finally, Sarah Buel will close the Symposium with the
presentation Economic Justice for Battered
Women: Avoiding the Tyranny of
Crisis.
Proposals for workshops, panels
and posters are being accepted. Professionals in
academe and in practice are strongly encouraged to
submit proposals.
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Research and Program Review |
JCVVS e-newsletter reviews offer a brief synopsis
of research and programs relevant to violence and
victim studies. Brevity does not allow for
comprehensive analysis, rather key points and
observations for further review and consideration.
Reviews are provided by persons affiliated by the
JCVVS and do not necessarily reflect the position of
the JCVVS or the affiliate Universities.
Author(s): Sharon D'Eusanio
Title: Out of Sight, Victims with
Disabilities (edited for length)
Source: The Crime Victims Report,
July/August 2001
Reviewer: Sharon D'Eusanio, JCVVS
Advisory Council
If the victim rights movement is based on the premise
that every victim of crime is entitled to fundamental
justice and comprehensive quality services, we need
to ask ourselves: Are we really including all
individuals who are victims of crime? The victim
service profession is constantly striving to improve
service delivery as well as enhance and expand
services to underserved populations. People with
disabilities are not simply underserved, they are
unidentified. Just because the numbers are not
readily apparent does not mean they are not there.
According to the October 1997 update to the census,
there are approximately 54,000,000 Americans living
with various types of disabilities. This constitutes the
largest minority population in the country. Yet, when it
comes to crimes against people with disabilities,
there are few statistics --- One researcher in
California reported that individuals with developmental
disabilities are at a four to ten times greater risk of
becoming a victim of crime. According to the findings
of the Colorado Department of Health, women with
disabilities are 85% more likely to be victims of
domestic violence as compared with 25% to 50% of
the general population. The National Pediatric
Trauma Registry reports that, annually, over 30,000
children sustain permanent disabilities as a result of
traumatic brain injuries.
People with disabilities are reluctant to report crimes
committed against them. The reasons for the lack of
reporting are many and complex. One reason is a
general mistrust of the system. Individuals with
disabilities may not have the confidence in, or comfort
level with, service providers to provide
accommodations specific for their needs. They may
also feel that they will not be treated respectfully or
with dignity. Some have been passed from one social
agency to another and have become tired of dealing
with the social system. Some other reasons include
the following: fear that no one will listen to them; fear
that they will be discredited; the abuse is at the hands
of their primary caregiver on whom they are
dependent; the sexual or physical abuse has been a
part of their life for so long they do not realize that
abuse is against the law; or they had a prior bad
experience with the justice system.
Other reasons for this distrust are rooted in history
and cited in congressional findings that have truly
shed more light on the historical treatment of people
with disabilities and their reluctance to report crimes.
These findings --- led to the drafting and passage of
the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) --- The
purpose of the ADA was to "level the playing field" for
people with disabilities and to provide them with a civil
rights law to assure them equal opportunities and
participation in all facets of life.
Truly understanding disabilities is complex. There are
many different types of disabilities and different levels
of functioning among the same category of disability.
There are cultural differences. Even the age at which
one acquires a disability, and under what
circumstances, are important factors. These
complexities create a rather confusing picture. All of
these issues cannot be covered in a two-hour
workshop offered once a year. There must be
ongoing training for all individuals throughout the
criminal justice system, including those within law
enforcement, prosecution, court administration, the
judiciary; and corrections ---
Since individuals with disabilities may have limited
access to information, active outreach to those in each
disability type, as well as their service providers,
organizations and agencies, is a must. A victim
advocate does not need to be an expert in the field of
disabilities but should know who the "experts" are in
their community ---
The disability service providers and organizations that
work with people with disabilities can assist you in
determining specific needs and accommodations for
individuals with disabilities. Because of the rapport
already established between consumers and
disability service providers, we need to expand the
victim services "circle" to include those individuals,
agencies and organizations.
Disabilities caused by violence (are an) inescapable
reminder of crime. Advances in medical technology
have made it possible for more people to survive who
would not previously have survived injuries sustained
in an accident, DUI/DWI crash, bombing, or other acts
of violence. However, survival may be accompanied
by permanent disability. As with any victim of a violent
crime, life as they had previously known it has
dramatically changed. However, for the individual
whose newly acquired disability was caused by the
violent crime, the disability is a constant reminder of
what put that individual in the wheelchair, or the
reason why he or she can no longer drive a car, or
see, hold, or hear his or her child.
Effects are complex. There is more than just dealing
with what the disability imposes on the person who
sustained the injury -the psychological, emotional,
and financial impact on family and friends must be
addressed as well. There will be other issues, such
as the following: newly acquired physical or cognitive
limitations; lingering pain or discomfort; financial
burdens; social prejudice; isolation; loss of
independence; depression, anger, and anxiety; a
support system which may be nonexistent or
overbearing; and the constant reminder of the violence
that left the individual unable to do the "normal" things
they did before the crime.
Disability may increase other risks. If the disability is
apparent, there may be the perception that the
individual is helpless, weak, or less than they were
before the crime that caused the disability. The
changes to lifestyle and family responsibilities placed
additional stress on family members and may be met
with anger and frustration, placing the individual at an
increased risk of --- physical or sexual abuse;
neglect; domestic violence; or financial exploitation.
Because of the vulnerability, whether perceived or real,
there is also an increased risk for victimization by
individuals outside the family.
Needs assessment must include disability issues.
As with any victim of a crime, a victim whose
disabilities were caused by crime, or whose prior
disabilities were aggravated or exacerbated by the
crime, also requires an immediate assessment of
service needs. However, some modifications to
policies or procedures may be required to provide the
same services. Victim service professionals also
must look beyond the short-term needs-it may also
be necessary to consider an assessment of the
intermediate needs of the individual and family during
the rehabilitation and transitional period. The victim of
crime, as well as the family, may require information
about or referral to local or state advocacy agencies or
support groups to facilitate long-term needs and
lifestyle changes. Victim service providers can be of
assistance in providing the individual with information
about his or her rights as a crime victim, but, they
should also be prepared to advise the individual about
his or her rights as a person with a disability. It is,
therefore, important for those in the victim service field
to receive training on the ADA and other federal and
state legislation setting forth the rights of people with
disabilities.
Working with victims of crime with disabilities is a
specialized area of service delivery that has yet to be
addressed in a comprehensive manner. It is time to
ask some questions of ourselves, agencies, and
organizations, including the following:
- Do we understand the impact of the ADA on
agencies or organizations and do we comply with the
law and intent of the ADA?
- Do our policies and procedures need any
modifications in order to provide individuals with
disabilities equal access to programs, activities, or
services for people with disabilities?
- What kind of active outreach is needed and how
can it best be provided?
- Do we have preconceived prejudices or deep-
seated biases that need to be addressed?
- And finally, what are we doing to insure that all
victims of crime with disabilities are aware of their
rights and receive equal treatment and services
afforded under federal, state, and local laws and
statutes?
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