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Introduction
n March 3, 2000, the Office for
Victims of Crime (OVC) sponsored
a roundtable discussion
about the effects of gun violence on individual
victims, their families, and their
communities. This 1-day meeting in
Washington, D.C., brought together a diverse
group of professionals who work
with victims of gun violence: physicians,
social workers, mental health providers,
prosecutors, nurses, lawyers, teachers,
school principals, victim compensation
administrators, and judges. Several gunshot
victims and survivors who lost
family members to gun violence also
participated. This interdisciplinary
discussion was designed to
- Identify key victim issues stemming
from firearm violence.
- Increase understanding of the full
range of gun victims' needs and how
they differ from the needs of other
crime victims.
- Identify promising or successful assistance
programs for victims of
gun violence.
- Develop recommendations for how
federal and state crime victims'
funds could be used to address
unmet needs.
The 18-person group reflected a wide
range of expertisefrom a trauma surgeon
who operates on gun victims to a
counselor who accompanies families to
the morgue to a judge who hears victim
impact statements. Although each participant's
contribution to the discussion was
shaped by his or her unique experience,
the major concerns raised by all participants
were remarkably consistent and
supported by the growing literature on
gun victimization. This bulletin highlights
the issues raised and the recommendations
developed by the roundtable.
While our focus was victims of gun
crime, as mandated by the Victims of
Crime Act (VOCA) administered by
OVC, we recognize that victims of all
types of gun traumaincluding unintentional
shootings and suicideshave many of the same needs that can be met
with help from victim service providers.
Working With Victims
of Gun Violence |
July 2001
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