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Boise State Criminal Justice Researchers Make Recommendations to Improve Services for Crime Victims

BOISE STATE NEWS RELEASE / Jan. 5, 2021

BOISE STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCHERS MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR CRIME VICTIMS

Boise State criminal justice researchers have released the results of a 2019 survey of 103 Idaho agencies that provide services to victims of crime.

The report, part of The Biennial Report on Victimization and Victim Services, a project funded by the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance, offers 20 recommendations for improving the ability of agencies to serve their clients.

Boise State criminal justice researchers Laura L. King, Lisa M. Growette Bostaph, Lane K. Gillespie and Jessica Wells; and graduate student Rachel Jeffries wrote the survey.

The recommendations include, but are not limited to:

  • Providing state-appropriated funding for crime victim services in Idaho which could offer flexibility in how monies are used. This would address barriers that providers routinely encounter with federal funds and would speed the delivery of services.
  • Encouraging service providers to conduct ongoing victim satisfaction surveys and utilize the online crime victim survey currently being administered as a part of the Biennial Report on Victimization and Victim Services.
  • Expanding outreach and service provision to crime victims and vulnerable populations who may have unique needs or be less aware of services.
  • Providing additional funding and support to agencies impacted by service provision barriers, particularly community-based victim service agencies and agencies located in, or serving, more rural areas.

The recommendations are similar to those offered in a 2015 assessment of crime victim services in Idaho.

“The data provided by this report will assist the council in making future funding decisions and allows us to more effectively direct funds to areas of greatest need and explore ways to target and fill gaps in available services,” said Heather Cunningham, executive director of the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance.

Read the full report on the Boise State Criminal Justice website: Criminal Justice Biennial Report (https://www.boisestate.edu/sps-criminaljustice/biennial-report/)

Media Contact: Laura King, associate professor, Criminal Justice, Boise State University, (208) 426-4146, lauraking2@boisestate.edu

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About Boise State University

A public metropolitan research university with more than 25,000 students, Boise State is proud to be powered by creativity and innovation. Located in Idaho’s capital city, the university has a growing research agenda and plays a crucial role in the region’s knowledge economy and famed quality of life. In the past 10 years, the university has quadrupled the number of doctoral degrees and doubled its master’s degree offerings. Learn more at www.BoiseState.edu.

About The Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance

The Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance funds, promotes, and supports quality services to victims of crime throughout Idaho.

About the School of Public Service

Boise State University’s School of Public Service is dedicated to excellence in innovative teaching, cutting edge scholarship and meaningful community outreach, serving the State of Idaho, region, nation and global communities. The School is comprised of rich and diverse academic programs, as well as talented affiliated faculty from departments and programs across the university. The mission of the School also is supported by a variety of centers and institutes that facilitate research and public engagement.