I. Background and Goals of the Victims of Gang Violence Planning Group

II. Planning Group Findings

III. Current Promising Practices

IV. Planning Group Recommendations

V. Action Plan

VI. Conclusion

Appendices

October 25, 1996

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was authorized by the 1984 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to administer the Crime Victims Fund (Fund) which is derived from fines and penalty assessments leveled against federal criminal offenders. OVC has distributed over $1.9 billion to crime victims programs since 1985 and supported diverse projects to improve services to our nation's victims of crime. This past fiscal year, the Fund provided substantial support for nearly 2,500 victim assistance programs around the country, such as battered women's shelters, rape crisis centers, and children's advocacy centers.

Responding to the recent increase in youth and gang-related violence, Associate Attorney General John R. Schmidt requested OVC to convene a planning group to discuss the unique needs of victims of gang violence and assess available services. Providing justice and healing to victims and survivors of gang-related crime is a top priority for the President and Attorney General of the United States.

Twenty years ago, fewer than half our cities reported gang activity. A generation later, 95 percent of our largest cities and 88 percent of smaller cities suffer gang-related crime. Eighty-nine percent of all cities recently reported that their gang problem was the same or getting worse. In one recent year, gangs committed more than 580,000 serious crimes.

These crimes exact a toll of tremendous physical and emotional pain from individuals, families, and entire communities. We are learning more about gangs and their activities, but know little about the individuals whose lives they so quickly and tragically change--the victims and survivors of gang violence. These victims face additional, special problems not confronted by most other crime victims.

This special report, VICTIMS OF GANG VIOLENCE: A New Frontier in Victim Services, represents the collective knowledge, expertise, and real life experiences of diverse professionals, victims, and volunteers who respond daily to the devastating aftermath of gang activity around the country. It provides a road map of needed services and suggests mechanisms for implementing comprehensive new programs to assist gang violence victims.

The report of the Victims of Gang Violence Planning Group reflects the extraordinary vision and hard work of the Planning Group members and their talented facilitator, Anne Seymour. Their continuing commitment to the work of this office and to these crime victims is vital to the success of our efforts. Additional thanks go to OVC staff members Donna Ray, Sharon English, Katia Garrett, and GiGi Corral who assisted with coordinating the project.

The work of the Planning Group is an important first step in OVC's efforts to improve services provided to victims of gang violence. This report provides a starting point to assist the Administration, the Justice Department, and OVC in decisions about:

• Developing victim-centered programs;

• Evaluating existing programs and the most efficient deployment of current and/or additional resources;

• Strengthening existing services and initiatives to meet the needs of gang violence victims;

• Determining whether legislative reforms are needed; and

• Assessing prevention and law enforcement programs to reduce gang violence.

Aileen Adams
Director

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