Law enforcement sees more victims of crime than any other component of the criminal justice system. Most victim assistance is provided through prosecutors offices, but only 21 percent of major crimes get to the prosecutors office.This means that about 80 percent of crime victims may not have victim assistance available to them unless a victim assistance specialist or unit exists within the law enforcement agency. The new OVC handbook titled First Response to Victims of Crime states that how law enforcement first responds to victims is critical in determining how victims cope, first with the immediate crisis and, later, with their recovery from the crime. This response often influences the victims participation in the investigation and prosecution of the crime as well as the victims likelihood of reporting any future crimes.
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