PSU Magazine Spring 2003

feeling repeatedly re-victimized by having to recount what happened to numerous strangers. Victims also report that they see the system as skewed towards the rights of the accused. The survey's low return rate could be related to those factors or simply a dislike of long surveys, says Elliott. (I lliott was struck by the ded– ication of the state's Crime Victim Advisory Board, made up of crime victims and advocates of victims' rights. PSU researchers met with the advisory group six times during the study, the first time on September 12 , 2001 , the day after the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. "Their attitude was," says Elliott, '"All the more reason. ' The attacks jelled things in ways we couldn't have imagined. " Similarly, says RRI project manager Karen Cellarius, "I was particularly moved by the strength and resiliency of the people I came in contact with who had experienced some truly hor– rific life events, and their willingness to share this information to assist people needing victims' services in the future. " G allagher was pleased to see that 75 percent of victims responding to the survey said they had found the services they needed. However, she says, "Obviously the report gives us a whole lot of room for improvement. " Respondents pointed out that they could have used more financial assis– tance and more help with housing and mental health services. Victims also reported frustration with not having phone calls returned, not receiving timely information about court pro– ceedings, and being on long waiting lists for help. One surprise finding is that some 30 percent of victims said they would have liked more victim/offender medi– ation-a chance to meet with the offender in a controlled setting to talk about what happened. "Victim/offender mediation was the Uictim aduocat~s want~d "The single most important change Oregon can make in its response to victims is in the area of advocacy. Vic– tims want to be contacted at the scene or at the hospital by a victim advo– cate. They want more frequent contact by advocates in the first few weeks following the crime and ongoing assis– tance as needed. Victims want to be fully supported throughout the justice process by an advocate who is respectful and sensitive to their needs. Advocates should speak the language and understand the culture of the victims they help." -From the 2002 Oregon Crime Victims' Needs Assessment, prepared by Portland State's Regional Research Institute top unmet need in the survey," says Elliott. Victims' advocates were sur– prised by the finding, she adds. Shes not sure if the result is due to the survey's methodology or a finding that needs further examination. One thing is certain, says Gallagher: The state received lots of good recom– mendations from the people closest to the issue. Among the suggestions: • Hire and/or train more bilingual and bicultural advocates. • Place advocates where victims can best access them-at community centers, churches, immigration offices and other places outside of courthouses. • Inform victims several times during the assistance process to make sure they understand their rights and available programs. • Look for innovative ways to collab– orate, such as sharing advocates between agencies. m !though funds for the com– pensation program come from offender fines and punitive damage awards , ore general funds will be needed to implement recommendations that call for more training and hiring of additional victims' advocates. "My perception is that back in 2000 the state responded to victims pretty well," says Gallagher. 'Tm more con– cerned about the next three to five years. We're looking at not so much a honing of the system, as its disintegra– tion. " Still, she says, "Even with lim– ited funding, the survey can be used to shift priorities," and can be dusted off again when the economic climate improves. In addition, the program has a strong commitment from its big boss, Attorney General Hardy Meyers. In the meantime, the RRI report will be circulated to government and non– profit social service entities, other states, and the federal government in hopes it will stimulate better approaches to helping those affected long after the judge's gavel comes down. □ (Steve Dodge, a Portland freelance writer; wrote the article "Naming of the Shrew" for the winter 2003 PSU Magazine.) SPRING 2003 PSU MAGAZINE 15