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
Victims of Alcohol-Related Driving Crashes
Survivors of Homicide Victims

Updated December 2001

John Ashcroft
Attorney General

Deborah J. Daniels
Assistant Attorney General

John W. Gillis
Director, Office for Victims of Crime

NCJ 189631

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.

Contents:

Message From the Director

Acknowledgments

Basic Guidelines on Approaching Victims of Crime

• Elderly Victims

• Victims of Sexual Assault

• Child Victims

• Victims of Domestic Violence

• Victims of Alcohol-Related Driving Crashes

• Survivors of Homicide Victims

National Victim Resources

Victim Services Directory

Back to Publications

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.