Research Syntheses

PURPOSE

CVR’s syntheses summarize the state of the field for multiple victimization types. Results are translated into fact sheets, reports, webinars, podcasts, and conference presentations.

Venn diagram indicating that CVR Syntheses combines the best available research with what we know from practice and the context of what we know

OUR APPROACH

Because victim research is an emerging field, CVR’s researchers gathered evidence from the best available research, practice, and contextual materials. CVR’s syntheses follow the framework developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Evidence Project.

Homicide Co-Victimization

Homicide co-victims are people who have lost a loved one to homicide, including immediate family members, other relatives/kin, and friends of the murdered victim. About 1 in 10 Americans will lose a loved one to homicide during their lifetime, yet few services specifically address homicide co-victims’ needs. One promising exception is Restorative Retelling, a type of group therapy that has been successfully applied to address the psychological harms of homicide co-victims.

Quick summary – Research Brief

Interactive learning – Webinar, Webinar slides

Full synthesis – Research Report

Materials reviewed – Bibliography of Research and Practice Evidence

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Identity Theft and Fraud

Fraud refers to crimes in which deceptive or false acts are committed for personal, typically financial, gain. Identity fraud is a subcategory in which personally identifying information of others (e.g., social security number, birthdate, credit card) is used to commit fraud. Millions of people in the US fall victim to identity theft and fraud every year, knowingly or unknowingly. The harms of identity fraud and other fraud include more than direct financial losses from the dollars stolen, and often coincide with other victimization experiences.

Quick summary –  Research Brief

Interactive learning – Webinar  and Webinar Slides

Full synthesis – Research Report

Materials reviewed – Bibliography of Research and Practice Evidence

 

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Mass Violence and Terrorism

Mass violence and terrorism victims, who include not only people who were injured or killed but also people who were present but not injured and family members of injured or deceased victims, may face a range of harms as a result of the event, including traumatic injuries; psychological harms such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and prolonged grief; and unexpected financial costs. Because of their inherently large scale, mass violence and terrorism events pose distinctive challenges for response and recovery. These incidents can overwhelm local communities’ response and victim assistance efforts and require a coordinated, cross-sector approach.

Interactive learning – Webinar and Webinar Slides

Full Synthesis – Research Report

Materials Reviewed – Bibliography of Research and Practice Evidence

pulse nightclub shooting memorial

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse encompasses a wide variety of behaviors that can cause harm and victimize older adults. Each year, approximately one in 10 community-residing older Americans are victims of some form of elder abuse—most commonly, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect by others. While there is a need for more research on what works in terms of elder abuse interventions, multidisciplinary teams, victim support groups, and counseling are seen as promising.

Quick summary – Research Brief

Interactive learning – Webinar

Full synthesis – Research Report

Materials reviewed – Bibliography of Research and Practice Evidence

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Methodology

For each synthesis, CVR researchers reviewed and summarized the best available research, practice, and contextual evidence on the topic, focusing on documents published in the U.S. from the years 2000 to present. CVR’s review included peer-reviewed journal articles and research reports, as well as fact sheets, reports, and briefs from the websites of notable practice organizations. We focused specifically on summarizing evidence regarding the:

  1. prevalence and detection of victims
  2. risk and protective factors
  3. harms and consequences
  4. prevention, intervention, and services
  5. policy, practice, and research implications

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