Crime victims in limbo: the importance of collaboration between the municipal social services and victim support organisations

Abstract

Becoming a victim of crime can be a traumatic experience, which calls for post-victimisation psychosocial support. In Sweden, this kind of support is offered by both governmental, for example, municipal social services (MSS), and nongovernmental organisations such as Victim Support (VS). The present study investigates (a) how many municipalities have a written agreement to collaborate with other organisations, and what kind of services they offer within their own organisation, (b) if there are differences between what support the MSS offer to victims depending on collaboration and (c) how do MSS staff, VS staff and crime victims describe the actual collaboration and support? Publicly available information from the National Board of Health and Welfare was analysed, in addition to a case study of three municipalities' work with victims of crime. The case study consists of nine interviews with social workers from MSS, crime victim coordinators from VS and crime victims. The results from the survey indicate that collaboration between the MSS and VS is occurring in some municipalities to access missing competence or to outsource services from the MSS. However, results show that collaboration does not exist in every municipality, and one reason for this, according to interview information, is to protect the confidentiality of the clients. The challenges and advantages of collaboration between the MSS and VS are discussed together with practical implications for the crime victim field.

Strategies to engage with involuntary clients

“…Typically, information is sought on initial contact and is used to establish the suitability of the service. Some agencies use specialist intake officers, while others rotate this task (Thunberg et al, 2015). The bureaucratic nature of this process can lead to early disengagement, particularly with involuntary clients who are already resistant to undertaking the program.…”

Young people’s narrations of the meaning of support after criminal victimization

“…The victims may not have a full picture of what is going to happen with their cases; however, if they receive information, they will be less nervous and anxious, and feel understanding and respect in their social surroundings. This can in turn result in their being more relaxed, contributing more information to the police investigation, and processing the victimization better (Burcar 2005;Thunberg, Ahonen, and Degner 2016). The task of strengthening a person's sense of agency and communion does not typically fall to legal professionals but rather to social workers, but this shows that the professions can complement each other when supporting young victims of crime and make sure they do not feel excluded from the process.…”

“…Information is restorative support, as it enables young victims to regain control over their lives (Capella et al 2016;Thunberg, Ahonen, and Degner 2016;Thunberg and Andersson Bruck 2019), with regard to both the legal process and further psychosocial support. Information enables them to feel competent about their unique situation, and that their competence is valued in their social surroundings, strengthening their sense of agency.…”

“…As a result, some municipalities have formed special units that offer support to young victims of crime (e.g. Stödcentrum för unga brottsoffer), while others do not offer specific support for young victims (Thunberg, Ahonen, and Degner 2016;Thunberg 2020).…”

“…Adding to this is the importance of building a trusting, non-judgemental relationship with the support provider; otherwise, young victims will not talk about what happened (Crisma et al 2004). Talking is important, but research also shows that support of a more practical nature, such as information about the judicial process and support services, and help with paperwork to receive financial compensation such as awarded damages or insurance payouts, is also needed (Burcar 2005;Thunberg, Ahonen, and Degner 2016). This shows that support after victimization can be defined in many ways, as the things needed to process victimization vary among individuals.…”