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This Center for Victim Research Community serves as a one-stop resource for victim service providers and researchers to connect and share knowledge to increase (1) access to victim research and data and (2) the utility of research and data collection to crime victim services nationwide. This CVR Community contains open access and public domain research-based resources about victims of crime. This community is continually updated. Contact librarian@victimresearch.org to submit a resource.

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Advocates Assessment of English Language Access for Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Violence
(Casa de Esperanza, 2015)
In early 2014, Casa de Esperanza conducted a national assessment of the language accessibility of court systems to survivors of sexual and domestic violence (S/DV), who have limited English proficiency (LEP) . LEP is defined by the Federal Interagency Working Group on Limited English Proficiency as characteristic of “individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have limited ability to speak, read, write, or understand English .” They may be immigrants, citizens, refugees, and/or asylees . They may also be deaf/hard of hearing or possess a disability, however, laws related to LEP are distinct from those such as the Americans with Disabilities Act that govern language access for persons who are deaf/hard of hearing or have learning or cognitive disabilities . This assessment focused on survivors whose language access needs should be met under LEP-related laws and rules. 584 persons participated in the assessment, but not all responded to all questions, so whenever possible, the number of respondents to a specific question (n) is noted .Nearly all participants worked for community-based S/DV programs . Of those who identified as “other” (22%), most worked as, for example, rural outreach, medical, or dual advocates . Others worked within S/DV response systems (e .g ., law enforcement) or, although they may not work primarily on issues of S/DV, were likely valued partners with interest in the issues (e .g ., interpreters; child or adult protective services investigators). [CVRL Note: the survey results are one part of a larger toolkit.] (Author Text)
Culture, Language, and Access: Key Considerations for Serving Deaf Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence
(Vera Institute of Justice, 2015) Smith, Nancy; Hope, Charity
Recent research suggests that Deaf women experience higher rates of sexual and domestic violence than their hearing counterparts, but are often shut off from victim services and supports that are ill-equipped to respond to their unique needs. As a result, they are denied access to services that could help them safely flee from abuse, heal from trauma, and seek justice after they have been harmed. This policy brief offers practical suggestions for expanding and enhancing Deaf survivors’ access to victim services and other supports. (Vera Abstract)
Examining Criminal Justice Responses to and Help-Seeking Patterns of Sexual Violence Survivors With Disabilities
(National Criminal Justice Reference Service, 2016) Browne, Angela; Agha, Ari; Demyan, Ashley; Beatriz, Elizabeth
This study documented reports to the police by victims of sexual assault who were disabled, examined the criminal justice processing of these cases, and assessed these victims’ help-seeking from formal and informal sources. The study defined sexual assault as “any sexual act that is perpetrated against someone’s will.” Disability was defined as “a physical, mental, or health impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such impairment, or being regarded as having such impairment.” The overall study conclusion is that “current structures are not sufficient for potentially one of the highest risk adult populations for sexual assault and victimization in the United States.” Data are presented on the characteristics of such victims, including gender, age, race, and disability. The majority of disabled victims (60.5 percent) had a psychiatric disability, and 25 percent had an intellectual/developmental disability. The smallest percentage (15.6 percent) of victims had physical/sensory disabilities. Perpetrators characteristics were also identified, along with reported victim-perpetrator relationship. The highest percentage of cases (29.5 percent) involved perpetrators who were friends or acquaintances of the victim. The victims were exposed to sexual assaults across multiple settings, including places that would normally be considered safe. Fifty-three percent of the cases involved rape. In 13.6 percent of the cases, some legal action was taken; the largest single category of criminal justice action was “closed-no charge.” Reasons for this prosecutorial decision are examined. The most prevalent reason was insufficient evidence. The length of the cases is also noted. Regarding help-seeking, there was a reported lack of coordinated community services and supports for disabled survivors of sexual assault. Data sources included a special unit in a large metropolitan district attorney’s office that handles sexual assaults of disabled victims, as well as community-based interviews with survivors and relevant community service providers. Extensive tables and figures and appended research tools including Vera Institute of Justice slide sets and interview protocols. (NCJRS Abstract)
Human Trafficking and Individuals with Disabilities
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018) Pak, Jae Jin; Reid, Joan; Vandenberg, Martina
The HHS National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center hosted a 90-minute webinar that highlights emerging trends, case studies, and best practices for providing supportive and comprehensive services for individuals with disabilities.... The Webinar addresses bias, stigmas, and risk factors that may lead to victimization of individuals with disabilities. Perspectives from researchers, service providers, and leaders are also provided to understand contributing factors to susceptibility to trafficking and discuss prevention from each of these lenses. Finally, the Webinar will guide participants into being able to identify promising practices and service responses that address underlying issues that can put individuals with disabilities at risk. (Author Text)
Intimate Partner Violence in Immigrant and Refugee Communities: Challenges, Promising Practices, and Recommendations
(Futures Without Violence, 2009) Runner, Michael; Yoshihama, Mieko; Novick, Steve
This document describes intimate partner violence (IPV) in immigrant and refugee communities in the United States. IPV is a widespread, costly, and complex social problem nationwide, with serious health and safety implications. When IPV occurs in immigrant and refugee communities, additional challenges and complexities make it especially difficult to address. This paper examines the issue from a variety of standpoints, including the legal rights and practical challenges facing immigrant and refugee victims of violence, the ways systems are responding, and the promising practices that offer hope for these women, many of whom would otherwise remain in grave and persistent peril. This report contains four main sections: Background information, including a definition of IPV, data about the incidence of this problem in general and among refugees and immigrants, and discussion of special dynamics in refugee and immigrant communities; an overview of the needs and challenges of immigrant and refugee IPV victims and service providers as well as brief case studies of practices that draw on interviews in 2007 with leaders and staff of seven programs across the United States; recommendations for funders, service providers and policy-makers; a discussion of IPV research and evaluation issues that need to be addressed in refugee and immigrant communities. (Author text)
Meeting Survivors' Needs: A Multi-State Study of Domestic Violence Shelter Experiences, Executive Summary
(National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), 2008) Lyon, Eleanor; Lane, Shannon; Menard, Anne
This is the executive summary of a multi-State study of domestic-violence shelters that describes the shelter experiences of survivors of domestic violence, documents the range of services provided, and distinguishes the shelter experiences for survivors with different demographic characteristics and from various geographic regions. The study’s overall conclusion is that domestic violence shelters throughout the Nation serve a critical need for survivors, with many of the survivors describing their shelter experience as life-saving. The findings show that shelters provide a wide variety of educational, emotional, psychological, attitudinal, and practical benefits to residents. This includes changing survivor perceptions of the resources they need in order to live safer and more fulfilling lives. The services provided to residents as well as nonresidential clients have evolved to become comprehensive and multifaceted in an effort to respond to a broader array of needs and concerns. Regarding existing challenges for shelters, many survivors struggle with some shelter rules related to eligibility for admission, responsibilities while they are in residence, and how long they may stay in the shelter. Staff training in conflict resolution, although common in many programs, might be offered more often or on a wider basis. Some differences in needs by race/ethnicity were documented, and problems with lack of respect for cultural customs were not likely to be resolved. Efforts to expand staff diversity and create working environments supportive for all staff should be continued. Recommendations include an analysis of services related to substance abuse, using the Internet as a source of information about the shelter, and changing some of the shelter-related language to be more gender-neutral. Evaluations can be improved by addressing literacy, language, and cultural issues of survey respondents. The study sampled the experiences of 3,410 residents of 215 domestic-violence shelters in 8 States. 3 tables. (CVRL Note: See also NCJ 226046 (summary of findings) and NCJ 225025 (final report).) (NCJRS Abstract)
Meeting Survivors' Needs: A Multi-State Study of Domestic Violence Shelter Experiences, Final Report
(National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), 2008) Lyon, Eleanor; Lane, Shannon; Menard, Anne
This study of domestic violence shelters in eight States assessed the range of services provided, the needs and experiences of survivors who had turned to shelters for help, and the types of help they received. The findings show that domestic violence shelters addressed compelling needs of survivors and their children that they could not find elsewhere. Shelters provided a complex array of services to victims and their children that included safety, information, help with children, and help with emotional distress. Most needs were met for most residents, and most problems were resolved. Implications of the findings for policy and programming are discussed. Topics addressed include expanding the diversity of shelter staff, expanding conflict-resolution training for staff, reconsideration of time limits and eligibility requirements for shelters that have these rules, and additional research on the full array of services (including nonshelter services) provided by domestic violence programs. Data were collected during a 6-month period from 3,410 residents of 215 domestic violence shelters (81 percent of the shelters in the 8 States). Programs provided information on their capacity (number of beds and staff) and the services they offered. Census data were collected on the region served by each shelter. Shelter residents completed a written survey at or near the time they entered the shelter and again at or near the time they left the shelter. All study materials were translated into 11 languages in order to increase accessibility to a multicultural population. Both entrance and exit surveys asked about 38 possible needs. The entrance survey also addressed initial impressions and concerns; and the exit survey also addressed immediate outcomes, difficulties experienced during the shelter stay, and the respect and support survivors had received from shelter staff. 27 tables and appended entrance and exit survey forms. (CVRL Note: see also NCJ 226046 (summary of findings) and NCJ 226045 (executive summary).) (NCJRS Abstract)
Meeting Survivors' Needs: A Multi-State Study of Domestic Violence Shelter Experiences, Summary of Findings
(National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), 2008) Lyon, Eleanor; Lane, Shannon; Menard, Anne
This report summarizes findings from a multi-State study of survivors’ experiences in domestic-violence shelters. The findings show that domestic-violence shelters serve a critical need for people who have experienced abuse from intimate partners. Shelters provide a wide variety of educational, emotional, psychological, attitudinal, and practical benefits to domestic-violence victims. For all identified needs, 75 percent of survivors got at least some of the help they wanted. Nearly all survivors reported they got the help they wanted for their personal safety and safety planning for the future. Conflicts with other residents were the most common conflict experienced in the shelters. Shelter programs can improve their strategies for addressing survivors’ emotional and mental health needs, physical health issues, housing, educational, and economic issues, as well as substance abuse. These were the most prominent needs that shelter residents reported were not being fully met. The study identified some differences in needs based on the race/ethnicity of survivors. These include lack of respect for cultural customs. Efforts to expand staff diversity and to create working environments supportive to all staff should continue. Data were collected from October 2007 to March 2008, using surveys completed by 3,410 residents of 215 domestic-violence shelters representing 81 percent of the shelters in 8 States. (CVRL Note: See also NCJ 225025 (final report) and NCJ 226045 (executive summary).) (NCJRS Abstract)
Multidisciplinary Response to Crime Victims with Disabilities: Community-Level Replication Guide
(Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), 2012)
This guide walks through a seven-step model for improving a community’s capacity to respond to crime victims with disabilities: Step 1. Partnering; Step 2. Assessing the Community’s Needs; Step 3. Developing a Strategic Plan; Step 4. Taking Action; Step 5. Taking Measure; Step 6. Evaluating the Project’s Impact; Step 7. Sustaining the Momentum. Every step in the model, which was originally developed by SafePlace of Austin, Texas, and was replicated by three pilot sites [Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs (DAIP) of Duluth, Minnesota; Family Crisis Services (FCS) of Portland, Maine; Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO) of Columbus, Ohio]. [Potential solutions for particular communities include:]...tracking crimes against community members who have disabilities; changing agency policies and practices that pose barriers to crime victims with disabilities; providing education/training for persons with disabilities, staff and volunteers, partner agencies, disability service providers, law enforcement, and others. (Author Text)
Multidisciplinary Response to Crime Victims with Disabilities: State-Level Replication Guide
(Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), 2012)
This guide describes the Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities Initiative (BPI), which uses a prosecution-based multidisciplinary team approach to address abuse committed against persons with disabilities. Developed in Massachusetts, BPI links law enforcement officials, prosecutors, adult protective and human services workers, self-advocates, and others in the team approach. It has revolutionized the way to recognize, report, investigate, and prosecute crimes against victims with disabilities and is founded on a simple principle: we must ensure equal and effective access to the criminal justice system for persons with disabilities. As part of a pilot project, three states [Delaware; Ohio; Oregon] have already replicated BPI. Other states may use this replication guide of recommended practices, modeled on the Massachusetts BPI, to develop, implement, and successfully maintain their own multidisciplinary partnerships. (Author Text)
Prevalence and risk of violence against adults with disabilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
(Lancet, 2012) Hughes, Karen; Bellis, Mark; Jones, Lisa; Wood, Sara; Bates, Geoff; Eckley, Lindsay; McCoy, Ellie; Mikton, Christopher; Shakespeare, Tom; Officer, Alana
About 15% of adults worldwide have a disability. These individuals are frequently reported to be at increased risk of violence, yet quantitative syntheses of studies of this issue are scarce. We aimed to quantify violence against adults with disabilities. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched 12 electronic databases to identify primary research studies published between Jan 1, 1990, and Aug 17, 2010, reporting prevalence estimates of violence against adults (aged mainly ≥18 years) with disabilities, or their risk of violence compared with non-disabled adults. We included only studies reporting violence occurring within the 12 months before the study. We assessed studies with six core quality criteria, and pooled data for analysis. Of 10 663 references initially identified, 26 were eligible for inclusion, with data for 21 557 individuals with disabilities. 21 studies provided data suitable for meta-analysis of prevalence of violence, and ten for meta-analysis of risks of violence….Adults with disabilities are at a higher risk of violence than are non-disabled adults, and those with mental illnesses could be particularly vulnerable. However, available studies have methodological weaknesses and gaps exist in the types of disability and violence they address. Robust studies are absent for most regions of the world, particularly low-income and middle-income countries. (Author Text)
Promising Practices for Serving Crime Victims with Disabilities Bulletin: Needs Assessment
(Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), 2008)
In 2002, OVC funded Promising Practices in Serving Crime Victims with Disabilities (hereafter referred to as Promising Practices), a 3-year discretionary cooperative agreement…to improve the local response of criminal justice personnel and victim service providers to people with disabilities…The goal was to promote innovative practices, principles, and community partnerships that would strengthen the ability of victim assistance organizations to provide accessible and relevant services to crime victims with a wide range of disabilities… Each of the subgrantees completed a community needs assessment that included protocols and questionnaires for surveys, individual interviews, and focus groups tailored to the location and cultural profile of the project area… The assessment results revealed much about the issues and conditions creating barriers for people with disabilities in the project communities, largely in regard to crime reporting and system issues and gaps. (OVC Text)
Research on Victimization Among People with Disabilities
(Vera Institute of Justice, 2014) Browne, Angela; Demyan, Ashley; Agha, Suzanne
This presentation was part of the Technical Working Group on Violent Victimization Research, held December 2-3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The presentation defines disabilities as a physical, mental, or health impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of an individual; a record of such impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment. The authors note the importance of researching crimes against persons with disabilities because their voices are often silenced, their victimization rates are high, they may not have channels to report their victimization or access help, they may not label what’s happening as victimization, and they may depend on perpetrators for survival, care, and housing. Also, research studies on victimization typically do not ask about disabilities or disaggregate types of disabilities if data on disabilities is collected, even when studying victimization, help-seeking, and justice system responses. The presentation discusses Jason Markesich’s “Surveying Persons with Disabilities: A Source Guide” and its considerations for researchers, such as sampling, instrument design, data collection, interview location, informed consent and mandatory reporting, and confidentiality issues. Recommendations include standardizing definitions and formatting tools and interview conditions to capture the unique realities and risks of the survey group. (CVRL Abstract)
Shaping Our Lives: A Refuge for All Project and Findings Report
(A Refuge for All, 2019) Meakin, Becki
A Refuge for All is a project led by disabled women with experience of violence and abuse. An advisory group of disabled women have reviewed the progress of the project at regular intervals. This Findings Report and the Best Practice Toolkit provide a user-led approach to improving access for disabled women for service providers who want to achieve a high standard of service delivery for disabled women...This project began by disabled survivors reviewing the findings of research conducted in 2008 ‘Making the Links: Disabled Women and Domestic Violence’ report published by Women’s Aid. Disabled women with lived experience of violence and abuse discussed what had changed in the last 10 years from their own experiences of trying to access support. In general, little had changed and in some instances the situation was deemed to have become worse. In particular, disabled women said that because of service cuts they had often not been able to get local support, had to wait for more than six months for a first counselling service, had been turned away because of their impairment or health conditions and had not been able to access a service because the distance and/or cost of travel was prohibitive. Similarly to findings from 10 years ago, disabled women still raised a lack of accessible information, inaccessible refuge and service buildings, lack of knowledge and understanding of the issues for disabled women by professionals, a need for disability equality training for service staff, and greater awareness and support for disabled women experiencing carer abuse as priority issues. A Refuge for All implemented a number of audits and interventions at two pilot sites. The pilot services provided a range of refuge and outreach services. The focus of this project was to investigate how refuge services could work more inclusively with disabled women. However, the interventions have been helpful to other areas of the service, particularly the disability equality training for all staff and the guidance given to make materials and communications more inclusive.The pre- and post-training analysis reveals that staff felt much more confident to work with disabled women after taking part in training. With this newly acquired knowledge and confidence, plus the access and system audits, both pilot services have been able to implement immediate low or no cost adjustments...The conclusions and recommendations in this report summarise the findings of disabled women with lived experience of violence and abuse. There is much to do to ensure disabled women, who experience disproportionate levels of violence and abuse, are able to equally access services with non-disabled women. Some of what needs doing requires considerable investment in accessible buildings for refuge and support services, but there is also a lot that can be done through the commitment of services to implementing the actions detailed in this report and the best practice toolkit. (Author Text)
State-Tribal Crime Victim Liaison Demonstration Program: Tribal Outreach To Establish Trust and Increase Awareness of Victim Services
(Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), 2016)
This report presents the features, results, and recommendations of Oklahoma’s State-Tribal Victim Liaison Demonstration Program, which used a grant from the U.S. Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) to provide outreach to American Indian (AI) crime victims in the State. Oklahoma has 38 federally recognized tribal headquarters and members of 67 tribes. The State’s tribal communities experience high rates of criminal victimization, and crime victims are underserved and unaware of available victim services. The Oklahoma District Attorneys Council’s Victim Services Division, competitively applied for and received an OVC grant to provide outreach to AI crime victims in the State. The grant program has provided tribal victim assistance, tribal grant opportunities, and crime victim compensation. It has produced positive results that have continued beyond the end of the outreach project. The project has increased awareness of available victim services funding, the number and funding of grant applications, and funding for direct services. Although the project ended at the end of fiscal year 2014, its benefits for tribal access to victim services are ongoing into 2016. The Oklahoma State-Tribal Crime Victim Liaison Demonstration Program offers 12 recommendations for improving Oklahoma’s tribal communities’ access to victim services. They include meeting face-to-face with tribal victim services contacts rather than contacting them through electronic communications; being an active listener in the field and advocating for policy changes based on problems identified by each community; and developing culturally specific materials for the crime victim compensation program and distributing them among the tribes. Appendixes contain a map of tribal jurisdictions in Oklahoma and a form letter that introduced to Oklahoma’s governor the new State-Tribal Crime Victim Liaison with the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council, with a statement of the OVC funding for this position. (NCJRS Abstract)
Victim Services in Rural Law Enforcement, 2011 update
(Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), 2011) Little, Kristin
Originally published in 2009, this report reviews pilot sites’ efforts, activities, approaches, challenges, and successes under a demonstration initiative funded by the U.S. Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) intended to advance the development of models for enhancing or establishing victim assistance efforts in rural law enforcement agencies. Based on the experiences of 17 sites that received OVC funding to establish or improve victim assistance efforts in rural law enforcement, this report reviews the grant project; highlights site activities; identifies core elements and challenges for rural law enforcement-based victim service programs; and presents a design for rural law enforcement agencies interested in initiating victim services. The overview of sites’ activities addresses needs assessment methods and results, as well as program variations, impact, and sustainability. In order to obtain information from crime victims, service providers, and law enforcement officers about gaps in victim services, the sites used various approaches, including written and phone surveys, community forums, and focus group discussions. The sites collected data on various factors, including the scope of local crime, community resources and victims’ use of those resources, victims’ satisfaction with the assistance provided by law enforcement personnel and other service providers, and law enforcement officers’ and service providers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of victim services. The majority of sites sustained their law enforcement-based victim service initiatives beyond the grant period. Some core elements and challenges of the efforts pertained to support at all levels, coordination and collaboration, the creation and functions of an advisory group, dedicated staff, information-gathering, and the development of an implementation plan. The concluding section guides rural law enforcement agencies in establishing in-house victim service initiatives. Appended list of resources and site summaries (NCJRS Abstract)

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