Victims Justice - Assisting Crime Victims with Disabilities Project

2013

The goal of this project is a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to improving the criminal justice system's response to violent crimes, and addressing the needs of underserved populations, including people with disabilities. Through these activities: 1. Development of guides and protocols with a statewide multidisciplinary team. 2. Co-advocacy with other organizations to support crime victims. 3. Training and technical assistance. This project serves crime victims with disabilities through a training and coadvocacy initiative. Violence against individuals with disabilities is a major problem in our society. Arkansas data show that victims with disabilities have difficulties accessing services and supports. A statewide needs assessment conducted by the Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence indicated the primary obstacles facing women with disabilities who become victims of violence are: ? limitations of services due to the need for accommodations, ? lack of awareness of the vast and varied needs of those with disabilities, ? negative experiences with service systems, and ? lack of transportation to available services (Violence Against Women in Arkansas: A Preliminary Community Needs Assessment, May 2002, ACCARDV). The Arkansas Strategic Plan for Promoting the Health and Wellness of People with Disabilities (2006) was developed through the work of a broad coalition of representatives from the disability field, from state agencies and health organizations, and from victim services agencies/organizations. The eight areas of concern identified by that group included violence prevention and access to justice, with three overarching issues repeatedly mentioned: (1) policy, (2) education/awareness, and (3) access. Partners conducted focus groups in 2003 and 2004 and learned the stated needs for training and coadvocacy efforts from disability providers, victim service providers, and law enforcement. These identified training needs will form the foundation for the training topics the project will address. This is also the reason why the coadvocacy model as a method of training and technical assistance is being proposed. Population Served: Partners proposes to serve all agencies providing services to crime victims and through coadvocacy both primary and secondary victims. To the knowledge of the project staff, other programs are struggling to expand services to victims with disabilities, as defined by focus groups and surveys previously conducted and ongoing calls to Partners' staff for assistance with both training, information, and coadvocacy efforts.

Crime Victime, Violence Intervention, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence

Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public

Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Geographic Area - Other, Specific Groups, Other

State

N/A