Victim Assistance Office and Organizational Structure - Assignment Example

Victim Assistance Office Introduction Victims of crime must be given necessary assistance in ensuring that their rights are protected. Criminals who cause miseries to victims must be taken to court. Taking the criminal to the court alone is not enough. The victim needs to be compensated and assisted to return to normalcy. Victims must be treated with respect as they are provided with necessary assistance in building better cases. Purpose of the Paper The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief on a Victim Assistance office. In particular, the paper will come up with the organizational structure that contains effective staff that can assist victims. In addition, the services to be offered in the office will be discussed. Other aspects to be analyzed include associate agencies necessary for the success of the office, outreach programs, and how to seek and receive funds. Organizational Structure The office will have three posts including Prosecuting Attorney, Chief Assistant, Counselor and an Office Administrator. The Prosecuting Attorney must have a law degree from internationally accredited university. The Prosecuting Attorney will be the overall manager of the office and will thus be in charge of the affairs of the victims. Secondly, the Chief Assistant, who is subordinate to the Prosecuting Attorney, must also have a law degree from internationally accredited university. The Prosecuting Attorney will work in collaboration with the Chief Assistant in meeting the objectives of the office. Finally, the office administrator will be in charge of administration duties at the office such as handling of victim records and correspondence. Counseling services will be provided by the Counselor. Associate Agencies Associate agencies will include police departments. The police will help the office in ensuring that suspects are arrested. In addition, the police, especially the FBI, will help victims to carry out investigations. Community organizations will also help the office in ensuring that crime victims are assisted in coping up with the challenges that affect them. Services to be offered The victim assistance office main aim will be to provide direct assistance to individuals who have been affected by criminal activities. The counselor will ensure that the traumatized, as well as, confused victims are assisted. After counseling, the prosecuting attorney will be required to provide referrals to effective agencies that will help the victim in understanding the justice system. In the current society, there is still lack of knowledge on what should happen after crimes have been committed (Doyle, 2008). The victim assistance office will help in creating and disseminating understandable information to crime victims. The victims always want to know their rights. Further, other public institutions such as insurance providers and the police will be given clear information about victim issues and rights (Karmen, 2012). The victim assistance office will ensure that crime victims get insurance cover from their employers. Most crime victims do not know the insurance companies and employers can cover the cost of recovery. The office will ensure that insurance agencies and employers become responsible in ensuring that their employees who become crime victims are assisted in the recovery process (Miller, 2005). Victims who have lost their loved ones will receive counseling services from the counselor at the office. Crime victims are not the only individuals affected by criminal activities. Family members especially loved ones and children are normally traumatized. Counseling services will be effective in ensuring that such victims recover fully from the effects of the crime (Waller, 2011). Honoring of criminal rights will be a top priority. Confidential information issued by the victims will be protected according to the present laws. Confidential information should not be leaked to the public. The office will ensure that victim records are kept safely. Authorized staff in the office will guarantee the confidentiality of crime victim information (Roach, 1999). Publications and brochure on victim rights will be produced at the office. Victims will have the chance to read such information as well as keep them for their own future use. Provision of information is necessary in saving time needed to ensure that the patient achieves full recover. The internet (website) and phone numbers will ensure that crime victims get faster and efficient services from the office staff. Victims will be required to call the numbers issued by the office management whenever they need assistance. Outreach Programs Victim assistance office will work in collaboration with media, education institutions, and non-governmental institutions in promoting education that will make the public to understand causes, and the effects of crime. The office will also ensure that the society is aware of their rights after crime has been committed. Further, the victim assistance office will ensure that presentations are made to societies about the services being offered by the staff. In addition, the community will be shown the criminal justice process. Special need for the crime survivors will also be presented. For instance, the society must know specific needs when faced with crimes such as homicide, child abuse, rape, harassment, alcoholic driving, violence in the family, child labor and abuse, and fraud (Carl, 2009). Seeking and Receiving Fund The office will apply for crime victims’ funds. After receiving the funds, the office attorney, together with the assistant will ensure that the fund is used in supporting various programs and services. The services must be aimed at helping victims who have survived from crime scenes. Importantly, the fund will be used in supporting crime victims as they find fresh means of rebuilding their lives. Consequently, crime victims will be compensated after investigations have been done and criminals put into custody. Conclusion An informed victim reflects an informed society. Criminal suffering can be reduced when members of the public are made aware of the rights and privileges they are entitled to after crime. Provision of assistance to crime victims also ensures the society becomes responsible in making the community a safer place to live in. Victim assistance office offers immense support to the crime victims in ensuring that they recover fully from traumatizing scenes of crime. The office also ensures that criminals are made responsible for their actions in the society. Every citizen has the right to receive assistance after crime. References Carl, R. (2009). Securing Rights For Victims: A Process Evaluation Of The National Crime Victim Law Institute’s Victims’ Rights Clinics. Washington D.C: Rand Corporation. Doyle, C. (2008). Crime Victims’ Rights Act. New York: Nova Publishers. Karmen, A. (2012). Crime Victims: An Introduction To Victimology. New York; Cengage Learning. Miller, T. (2005).Crime Victim Rights Manual, Volume 2. Michigan: Michigan Judicial Institute. Roach, K. (1999). Due Process and Victims’ Rights: The New Law and Politics Of Criminal Justice. Toronto: University Of Toronto Press. Waller, I. (2011). Rights for Victims of Crime: Rebalancing Justice. New York: Rowman & Littlefield. Read More