Victim Advocacy Services in Urban Programs: A Description by Staff and Gaps

摘要

The focus of this research and evaluation endeavor was on direct service programs, particularly victim advocacy services, in Ohio receiving funding through the S. T. U.P. FormuZa Grants under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994. It was undertaken as a collaborative partnership between the Ohio Office of criminal Justice Services (OCJS) and The Ohio State University (OSU). The objectives of this project were to: describe and compare existing advocacy services in Ohio; compare victim advocacy typologies and identify key variables in the delivery of services; develop a better understanding of how victim advocacy services are defined and delivered; and, assess the effectiveness of those services. This project was completed in two phases. The first phase focused on gathering comprehensive information about thirteen VAWA-funded programs providing direct services in Ohio, Descriptive information on funding, staffing, number of clients served, and other agency demographic information was collected through interviews with agency administrators and a survey. Focus groups with clients and service providers were also conducted in each of the agencies. The second phase of the research focused on developing ways to evaluate service outcomes. Two agencies with different service objectives were selected to participate in the evaluation phase. One of the agencies selected was a shelter program, and the other program selected was based in a prosecutors office.