Understanding how victim and advocates perceive and deliver services based on organizational structure and institutional location

Harmon, Brittney (2017) Understanding how victim and advocates perceive and deliver services based on organizational structure and institutional location. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

In the United States, victim-witness services exemplify two opposing victim service models of how the state should best meet the needs of crime victims. The welfare model is focused on providing social services to victims separate from the criminal justice process, while the prosecutorial model seeks to increase victims’ participation within all aspects of the criminal justice system. In Northern Arizona, two counties have achieved one of these two agendas. Using a qualitative research approach, I found that both victim advocacy programs adhere to separate philosophy models; therefore, the core focus of the organization is different. Victim advocates deliver and perceive services in a diverse manner; this is contributed to the organizational structure and institutional location of the agency. Yavapai County Victim Services Division aligns with a prosecutorial model, while Victim Witness Services for Coconino County follows a welfare model. The implications of these differing models for advocates and victim service delivery are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Prosectorial model; Symbolic victim; Victim advocacy; Welfare model
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Social and Behavioral Science > Criminology and Criminal Justice
Date Deposited:	30 Mar 2018 16:34
URI:	http://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/5032

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