Basic Principles

There are some basic principles to consider when working with victims:

• Compassion
• Sincerity
• Respect
• Delivery of services
• Sensitive and proper first contact
• Appraisal of personal prejudices
• Honesty

There are also ways to enhance victim cooperation:

• Avoid "second assault"/continued victimization by the court process
  • Delays and continuances
  • Schedule conflicts
  • Removal from courtroom
  • Inclusion in the courtroom
  • Failure to have information about what’s occurring
  • Failure to receive information on case status or dismissal
  • Misunderstanding of plea agreements or case disposition

• Learn to work with difficult victims and challenging situations
  • Recanting victims (especially domestic violence)
  • Hostile victims
  • Victims who minimize the crime
  • Victims as witnesses
  • Social services and other service providing agencies that may not have congruent goals with the prosecution
  • Developmentally delayed
  • Children – due to cognitive abilities
  • Families of victims of Careless Resulting in Death accidents – victims are deceased, but the charge is a misdemeanor