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Laboratory Two

Crisis Intervention Exercise

This exercise is designed to provide Academy students with an understanding of the wide range of issues involved in immediate crisis response to crime victims. In addition to identifying the emergency needs of victims in the aftermath of crime, it is intended to elicit discussion of the wide range of services and assistance the primary and secondary victims may require.

This exercise utilizes two hypothetical cases as a basis for students to formulate a plan for an immediate response. Work sheets with the questions, issues, type of intervention, immediate concerns and potential conflicts, are provided.

Hypothetical Case #1

June was working late at the office, Dan, her co-worker in an adjacent department, offered her a ride home. On the way they decided to stop by the local bar for a drink. They talked about home renovations and Dan offered to loan June his sander. He said he lived close by and it would be no problem to pick up his tools on their way to June's. After entering the house, his demeanor changed. He became aggressive, displayed inappropriate physical contact, and made comments about how "she didn't really stop by for just the sander." When she asked him to leave her alone, he physically restrained and raped her. Afterwards, his mood changed; he got dressed and offered to take her home. Afraid of additional violence, she accepted the ride.

An hour later, she called her sister who, after talking with June, then immediately calls you at home because she knows you work with crime victims.

1. What do you tell her to do?

2. What are the issues in the next 24 hours?

3. What are the parameters of the crisis intervention?

4. What unique needs or problems will June experience in the near future?

These and other questions need to be addressed in the following worksheets:

Crisis Intervention Strategy

Key Professionals: Roles and Responsibility

Crisis Intervention Issues to Be Addressed

Federal Crime Victims

Hypothetical Case #2

Angela and Reggie and their two children had attended a family reunion in Lake City, Florida and were driving to their home in Knoxville, Tennessee. En route, as the family entered Great Smoky Mountains National Park, they were hit head-on by a drunk driver who swerved into their lane attempting to pass another car.

Reggie was killed instantly, Angela and one child sustained minor injuries, and the second child was critically injured. Reggie was taken to the hospital morgue, one child was medivaced to the hospital, and Angela and the other child were transported to the hospital by ambulance. Their car was totaled. The drunk driver, also taken to the hospital, survived.

After examination, Angela and one child were released, while the other child remained in intensive care. Angela has no money, nor friends or family in the immediate vicinity. How do you respond?

1. What unique aspects of this case arise out of the crime occurring on federal land?

2. What are Angela's immediate concerns?

3. What services should be available to assist her children and her?

4. Who will provide the services -- what coordination issues between federal, state and local victims service providers or law enforcement agencies may arise?

5. What are the potential problems and obstacles with Angela being so far away from home -- immediately and in the long term?

Crisis Intervention Strategy

Key Professionals: Roles and Responsibility

Crisis Intervention Issues to Be Addressed

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