ABSTRACT

Crime victims often need assistance navigating the unfamiliar legal system. Limited research exists, however, on those tasked with helping victims, the victim assistance units (VAUs), particularly outside the US. Indeed, there have been calls in the literature for more comparative research in this area. Responding to their call, this exploratory study analyzes the creation of VAUs within the district attorney’s offices (DAO) in Israel following specific victims’ rights legislation. Using qualitative interviews with representatives from three quarters of the VAUs in Israel (N = 6), the paper explores the formation of two models of VAUs, examines the specific location of the VAU within the DAOs, and analyzes various influences on the work of the VAU. I argue that limited resources, cultural organization and professional ethos prevent VAUs from fully addressing victims’ needs. In order to best respond to victims’ needs, the VAUs should expand their contact with victims and receive sufficient resources to do so. The Israeli case study demonstrates that to best assist victims, VAUs should be created with a “victim-centered” agenda. This study advances our knowledge of victim workers outside the US, highlighting the impact of their DAO’s affiliation and its potential impact on victims.

摘要

犯罪受害者通常需要帮助来驾驭不熟悉的法律体系。然而，对那些负责帮助受害者的受害者援助单位 (VAU) 的研究有限，特别是在美国以外的地区。事实上，文献中一直呼吁在这一领域进行更多的比较研究。响应他们的呼吁，这项探索性研究分析了以色列地区检察官办公室 (DAO) 根据特定的受害者权利立法创建 VAU。通过对以色列四分之三的 VAU 代表（N = 6）的定性访谈，本文探讨了两种 VAU 模型的形成，考察了 VAU 在 DAO 中的具体位置，并分析了对 DAO 工作的各种影响。 VAU。我认为有限的资源，文化组织和职业精神阻碍 VAU 充分满足受害者的需求。为了最好地响应受害者的需求，VAU 应扩大与受害者的联系并获得足够的资源来这样做。以色列的案例研究表明，为了最好地帮助受害者，应根据“以受害者为中心”的议程创建 VAU。这项研究增进了我们对美国以外受害者工人的了解，强调了他们的 DAO 隶属关系的影响及其对受害者的潜在影响。