First Response
to Victims of Crime

A Handbook for Law Enforcement Officers
on How To Approach and Help

Elderly Victims
Victims of Sexual Assault
Child Victims
Victims of Domestic Violence
Survivors of Homicide Victims

U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
810 Seventh Street NW.
Washington, DC 20531

Janet Reno
Attorney General

Daniel Marcus
Acting Associate Attorney General

Mary Lou Leary
Acting Assistant Attorney General

Kathryn M. Turman
Director, Office for Victims of Crime

Office of Justice Programs
World Wide Web Home Page
www.ojp.usdoj.gov

Office for Victims of Crime
World Wide Web Home Page
www.ovc.gov

For grant and funding information contact
U.S. Department of Justice Response Center
1–800–421–6770

OVC Resource Center
1–800–627–6872
OVC Resource Center Home Page
www.ncjrs.gov

NCJ 176971

May 2000

This handbook was prepared by the National Sheriffs’ Association under grant number 97–VF–GX–0002, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

This publication is provided solely as an information resource and is not intended to serve as legal advice or assistance. Although a professional effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, no warranty is expressed or implied.

Contents:

• Message From the Director

• Acknowledgements

• I. Basic Guidelines on
  Approaching Victims of Crime

• II. Elderly Victims

• III. Victims of Sexual Assault

• IV. Child Victims

• V. Victims of Domestic Violence

• VI. Survivors of Homicide Victims

• VII. National Victim Resources

• VIII. Victim Services Directory

• OVC Information