This combined instructor and student resource manual contains a curriculum on victim empowerment, with particular attention to rape victims, and presents a collection of articles written from either a mental health or a victim service provider perspective (originally printed under the title Victim Empowerment: Bridging the Systems—Mental Health and Victim Service Providers). May 2000 (Reprint); Free (NCJ 179217); OVC.
For instructor manual, visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovcpublications//infores/vestmtl/welcome.html
For student manual, visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/infores/student/welcome.html

OVC recognizes that victim assistance providers need the knowledge and skills to respond sensitively and effectively to crime victims and that mental health services should be available to victims who need assistance. This document describes the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) discretionary and formula grant programs that support crime victims’ access to victim assistance services and crime victim compensation for mental health services. The fact sheet also details specific training and technical assistance resources that focus on improving mental health services to crime victims. July 1998; Free (FS 171665); OVC.
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/factshts/mentalhe.pdf

This 40-minute video presents a panel discussion hosted by Anne Seymour, Public Safety Consultant and national expert in the field of crime victim assistance, that includes two nationally recognized experts in the field of mental health: Dr. Dean Kilpatrick and Dr. Connie Best. Findings from current mental health research are presented, including issues involved with crime-related psychological trauma of crime victims, identification of the major types of immediate and short-term trauma associated with crime victimization, factors related to victims’ healing and recovery, and how the criminal and juvenile justice systems can address the needs of traumatized crime victims. October 1997; Free (NCJ 167235); OVC.

Crime victims suffer a broad range of psychological and social injuries that persist long after their physical wounds have healed. This bulletin explores new directions related to victim rights and services that focus on the importance of understanding and treating crime-related psychological trauma, crisis reactions and short-term trauma, long-term psychological trauma, counseling and mental health interventions, and cultural competency in mental health counseling. August 1998; Free (NCJ 172819); OVC. www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/new/directions/pdftxt/bulletins/bltn9.pdf