Collaboration Between Victim Services and Faith Organizations: Benefits, Challenges, and Recommendations

Abstract

Although many crime victims seek support from members of the faith community, faith leaders may feel unsure of their abilities to assist. This paper describes findings from a descriptive needs assessment that preceded a national project to link faith-based organizations and victim service programs in five high-crime neighborhoods. Approximately 90 participants were interviewed, including faith leaders, victim service providers, and other professionals. A majority saw positive implications of faith–secular collaboration but also identified concerns. Findings focus on perceived obstacles and facilitators of collaboration, addressing climate for faith–secular collaboration, disciplinary differences, community engagement, and church–state separation. Implications for collaboration are explored and recommendations are provided for future efforts to link faith communities and secular services.

Keywords:

• collaboration
• crime victims
• faith-based initiatives
• religion
• spirituality
• and victimization

This project was supported by Grant No. 2002.VF.GX.K017 awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Thanks to staff at each of the five project sites for providing information and assisting with logistics of site visits, and thanks to several anonymous reviewers for comments on earlier drafts of this manuscript.