NSVP Instrument and supporting documents

Table of Contents

Attachment 1. NSVSP Primary Survey Instrument……………...…..…………….……………...2
Attachment 2. Field test follow up method and modalities…………..…………….……………11
Appendix 1A: VSO Invitation/Survey Cover letter……………...………………………12
Appendix 1B: Letter 2 Formal survey invitation to VSO…………..……………………13
Appendix 2: VSO Thank you Reminder Note Post Card/E-Card….…………………….14
Appendix 3: Step 6 VSP First Phone Prompt Script……………..…...…………………..15
Appendix 4: FedEx/US mail/Email/Fax reminder letter to VSO..………………….…….20
Appendix 5: NSVSO Last Chance Letter…….…………………………………………..21
Appendix 6: Last chance phone script……………………………………………………22
Attachment 3. NSVSP Online Survey Welcome Screen displaying OMB number……...……….26
Attachment 4. NSVSP Secondary Survey Instrument…………………………………….……...27
Attachment 5. NSVSP Incidental Survey Instrument…………………………………….………36
Attachment 6. Cognitive Testing Report…………………………………………………………45

National Survey of Victim Service Providers
A study by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics to better understand the range of
services available for and provided to different types of crime victims.

Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of
information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated
to average 30 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining
the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other
aspects of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810
Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC 20531. The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3732),
authorizes this information collection. This request for information is in accordance with the clearance requirement of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1980, as amended (44 U.S.C. 3507). Although this survey is voluntary, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation
to make the results comprehensive, accurate, and timely.

OMB Number: 1121-0339
Approval expires 01/31/2016

National Survey of Victim Service Providers
Survey Instructions
Please mark your response with an “X” using blue or black ink, as in the examples below.
Example:

Example:
Right Way

Other, specify:

Wrong Way

Survey Purpose and Sponsors

General Instructions

The National Survey of Victim Service Providers (NSVSP) is designed
to fill existing gaps in knowledge and information on the variety of
organizations that provide services to victims of crime, the types of
victims served and services provided, and staffing and resources
available for the provision of services.

Your organization is receiving this survey because it has been
identified as providing at least some services or assistance to victims
of crime. The survey should be completed by the person(s) in your
organization with knowledge of and access to information on the
provision of these services. To help you prepare to take the survey, we
will be asking for information about the number and types of services
your organization provided to victims in the past year, the types
of crimes for which victims sought your services in the past year,
the number of staff providing victim services at your organization,
and your victim services budget. The survey should take about 30
minutes to complete. Please respond to all items.

The first goal of the NSVSP is to develop a clearer picture of the victim
services field. While there are many directories in place, and many lists
of organizations serving specific types of victims, they are not all inclusive
and many are not routinely updated. This survey will provide a picture of
the broad range of victim service providers across the country, including
how they are structured, the types of services they offer, and the types of
crime victims they serve. Your organization has been randomly selected
to participate in a small pilot test of the larger NSVSP data collection
effort.

Confidentiality Assurances
The information you provide will be used to generate aggregate
statistics on the provision of victim services. Your organization will
not be identified in any statistical reports produced by the Bureau of
Justice Statistics.

Information obtained from this initial pilot test will inform efforts to conduct
a census of the over 21,000 service providers in our current database.
Ultimately, through the census and additional survey efforts the NSVSP
aims to provide comprehensive, empirical data useful for funding and
planning purposes. An additional goal is to standardize measures of
victim services, enabling service providers to compare themselves with
other providers serving similar types of victims.

Burden Statement
Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information
collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection
of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control
Number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering
and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing
the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate, or any other aspects of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director,
Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC
20531. The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968,
as amended (42 U.S.C. 3732), authorizes this information collection.
This request for information is in accordance with the clearance
requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as amended
(44 U.S.C. 3507). Although this survey is voluntary, we urgently need
and appreciate your cooperation to make the results comprehensive,
accurate, and timely.

This survey is sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Justice and funded by the federal Office for Victims of
Crime.

Important Definitions
1) CRIME - An act which if done by a competent adult or juvenile would
be a criminal offense
2) VICTIM - Any person who contacts your organization for services
or assistance that are related to concerns over past, on-going, or
potential future crimes and other abuse. This includes those who are
directly harmed or threated by such crimes, but also their…
a) Family or household members,
b) Legal representatives, or
c) Survivors (if deceased)
3) SERVICE ­- Efforts that (1) respond to the needs of crime victims; (2)
assist victims of crime to stabilize their lives after a victimization; (3)
assist victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice
system; or (4) provide victims of crime with measures of safety and
security.

2

S1

Before you begin, please complete the following pieces of
information for your program.

SECTION A
A1

Agency Name:

 he primary function of the organization is to provide
T
services or programming for victims of crime.
Skip to A2
Victim services or programming are one component of the
larger organization (e.g., a hospital, university, community
center, law enforcement agency or prosecutors’ office)
Proceed to A1a

Address:
Address:
City, State, ZIP:
Main business
phone number:
Director, Victim
Services:

 A1a. D
 oes your organization have a specific
program(s) or staff that are dedicated to
working with crime victims?
Yes
No

Email address:


S2

Did you provide services to victims of crime or abuse in
the past month?
Yes
No

Which of the following best describes how your
organization is structured to provide services to victims
of crime or abuse?

A2

Go to A1
 hank you! You do not need to complete the rest
T
of this survey. We will correct your listing.
Please see mailing instructions after page 8.

Which of the following best describes your
organization? Select one response.
a. Tribal government or
other tribal organization or
entity

 o to Section B
G
[Tribal], page 4

b. Campus organization or other
educational institution (public
or private)

 o to Section C
G
[Campus], page 4

c. Hospital, medical, or
emergency facility (public or
private)

 o to Section G
G
[Services for
Victims],
page 5

d. Government agency

 o to Section D
G
[Government],
page 4

e. Nonprofit or faith-based entity
(501c3 status)

 o to Section E
G
[Nonprofit or faith
based], page 4

f. For profit entity

 o to Section F
G
[For profit],
page 5

g. Informal entity (e.g., some other

 o to Section G
G
[Services for
Victims],
page 5

type of program or group, not formally
a part of an agency, registered
nonprofit, or business; Independent
survivor advocacy and support
groups; volunteer, grassroots, or
survivor network)

3

SECTION B
Tribal Agencies and Organizations Only
B1

D2

Nationwide
Statewide
Regional/Multi-county/Multi-city
County wide only
City wide only
Specific neighborhood only
Other (please specify)

Which designation best describes your tribal agency or
organization? Select one response.
Law enforcement
Prosecutor
Court
Juvenile justice
Offender custody and supervision
Advocacy program
Other justice-based agency (please specify)

Go to section G [SERVICES FOR
All responses
VICTIMS], page 5

Other agency that is NOT justice-based (e.g., human
services, health, education, etc.) (please specify)

SECTION E
Non-Profit or Faith-Based
Organizations Only

Coalition
All responses
page 5

Go to section G [SERVICES FOR VICTIMS],
E1

Which designation best describes your campus
organization? Select one response.
Law enforcement/campus security
Campus disciplinary body or student conduct body
Physical or mental health service program
Victim services or advocacy group
Other campus-based program (please specify)

E2

Go to section G [SERVICES FOR VICTIMS],

SECTION D
Government Agencies Only
D1

In what service area/jurisdiction does your non-profit
organization operate? Select one response.
Nationwide
Statewide
Regional/Multi-county/Multi-city
County wide only
City wide only
Specific neighborhood only
Other (please specify)

All responses
page 5

Which designation best describes your non-profit
organization? Select one response.
Coalition (e.g., State Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault
Coalition)
A single entity (may or may not have multiple physical
locations)
Other (please specify)

SECTION C
Campus Organizations Only
C1

In what service area/jurisdiction does your agency
operate in terms of victims served or services delivered?
Select one response.

All responses
Go to section G [SERVICES FOR
VICTIMS], page 5

Which designation best describes your government
agency? Select one response.
Law enforcement
Prosecutor
Courts
Juvenile justice
Offender custody and supervision
Multi-agency (e.g., task forces, response teams, etc.)
Other government agency (please specify)

4

SECTION F
For-Profit Organizations Only
F1

The following questions concern services you provided to
victims of crime or abuse during past calendar/fiscal year.
Did you provide any of the following services to
victims within the past calendar/fiscal year?

What designation best describes your for-profit
organization? Select one response.

We recognize that victim service organizations provide a
wide array of services to victims. For the purposes of this
survey, we are asking about general categories of services
you provided to victims, which may not capture your victim
service offerings in detail. Do your best to place the
services you provided within the general categories below.

Private legal office/law firm
Private counseling service or other mental health care
provider
Funeral home
Other commercial or professional entity (please specify)

Does your organization provide (…)

G2

All responses
Go to section G [SERVICES FOR
VICTIMS], page 5

Does your organization operate/report data on a calendar
year or fiscal year?

G1.1. What is the date of the beginning of the fiscal year at
your organization?
/
MM

Yes

No

Yes

No

Financial and material assistance services
Does your organization provide (…)

G3

a. Monetary assistance? (e.g., providing
funds or offering assistance in seeking
victim compensation; public benefits
assistance; other emergency funds
assistance; etc.)

/
DD

No

b. Service or victimization information
and referrals? (e.g., information about
crime and victimization; medical referrals;
legal referrals; financial counseling
referrals; other referrals; etc.)

Calendar year
skip to G2
Fiscal year
proceed to G1.1
Both
proceed to G1.1

Yes

a. Justice related information and
referrals? (e.g., information about the
justice system and the victim’s role;
notification of events and proceedings;
justice referrals; etc.)

SECTION G
Services for Victims
G1

Information and referral services

YY

b. Material assistance? (e.g., emergency
or transitional shelter; food; clothing;
utility assistance; employment
assistance; etc.)

For the remainder of the questionnaire, unless indicated
otherwise, provide your answers based on the past fiscal
year or the past calendar year depending on how your
organization operates as answered in Question G1.

G4

Emotional support and safety
Does your organization provide (…)
a. Mental health services? (e.g.,
individual; group counseling support
groups; other therapy; social
programming for children; etc.)
b. Crisis Counseling
c. Safety services? (Safety planning;
witness protection; address
confidentiality; self-defense; etc.)
(Does NOT include protective orders)

5

Medical and health assistance
Does your organization provide (…)

G5

G10

Yes

No

a. Emergency medical care or
accompaniment?
b. Medical forensic exam or
accompaniment?

Excluding hotline/helpline or crisis line calls, how
many unique victims received direct services from
your organization/program during the past calendar/
fiscal year? Estimates are acceptable. (Exclude services
provided through a hotline/helpline or crisis line and victims
who only received information through the mail)
Check box if estimate

c. STD/HIV testing?
G11

Legal and victims’ rights assistance
Does your organization provide (…)

G6

Yes

No

Crime type for which victims sought services

a. Criminal/juvenile/military/tribal
justice related assistance?
(e.g., representation; advocacy;
accompaniment; assistance in exercising
victims’ rights; etc.)

Yes
a. Adults molested as children
b. Child sexual abuse/sexual assault
c. Rape/sexual assault (other than sexual
victimizations against children)

b. Civil justice related assistance? (e.g.,
protective or restraining order; assistance
with family law matters; assistance with
landlord/tenant matters; etc.)

d. Stalking
e. Child witness of violence

c. Immigration assistance? (e.g.,
assistance seeking special visas;
continued presence applications; other
immigration relief; etc.)

G7

f. Child physical abuse or neglect
g. Elder physical abuse
h. Domestic violence/dating violence
i. Assault (Other than domestic/dating
violence or child/elder abuse)

Other services
Does your organization provide (…)

Yes

No

j. Robbery

a. Case management?

k. Human trafficking (Labor)

b. Supervised child visitation?

l. Human trafficking: (Sex)

c. On-scene coordinated response?

m. Survivors of homicide victims

d. Education classes for survivors
regarding victimization dynamics?

n. Victim witness intimidation
o. DUI/DWI crashes

e. Culturally and ethnically specific
services?

p. Identity theft

f. Specialized services for specific
settings? (e.g., military; school; college/
university; etc.)
G8

q. Financial fraud and exploitation (Other
than identity theft)
r. Motor vehicle theft
s. Burglary

Did your organization operate a hotline/helpline or crisis
line at any time during the past calendar/fiscal year?
Yes
No

G9

During the past calendar/fiscal year did victims of
the following crime types seek services from your
organization?

t. Other property crimes
u. Other violent crimes

proceed to G9
skip to G10

v. Other (specify)

How many calls did you receive from victims/survivors in
the past calendar/fiscal year? Estimates are acceptable.
Check box if estimate

6

No

SECTION H
Staffing

New staff since the beginning of the most recent
calendar/fiscal year
H6

The following questions concern staff dedicated to working
with victims of crime during past calendar/fiscal year.
Provide your answer based on the past fiscal year or the
past calendar year depending on how your organization
operates as answered in Question G1.

H1

Current Staff

How many paid full-time staff dedicated to working with
victims did you hire in the past calendar/fiscal year,
whether to fill new positions or to fill vacancies? Count
each person only once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff
of that type. Include contractual workers in your counts.
Estimates are acceptable.
Check box if estimate

How many paid staff dedicated to working with victims
currently work at your organization full-time (35 hours or
more/week)? Count each person only once. Enter ‘0’ if there
are no paid staff of that type. Include contractual workers in your
counts. Estimates are acceptable.

H7

How many paid part-time staff dedicated to working
with victims did you hire in the past calendar/fiscal
year, whether to fill new positions or to fill vacancies?
Count each person only once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no
paid staff of that type. Include contractual workers in your
counts. Estimates are acceptable.

Check box if estimate
H2

How many paid staff dedicated to working with victims
currently work at your organization part-time (less than 35
hours/week)? Count each person only once. Enter ‘0’ if there
are no paid staff of that type. Include contractual workers in your
counts. Estimates are acceptable.

Check box if estimate

SECTION I
Funding
I1

Check box if estimate
H3

Does your organization use volunteers to provide direct
services to victims?
 es
Y
No

Check box if estimate

Staff at the beginning of the most recent
fiscal year
H4

How many paid full-time staff dedicated to working with
victims worked at your organization at the beginning
of the past calendar/fiscal year? Count each person only
once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that type. Include
contractual workers in your counts. Estimates are acceptable.
Check box if estimate

H5

How much total funding did your organization receive
for victim-related programming and services (including
direct services, prevention, outreach, training, and
education efforts) during the past calendar/fiscal
year? Please include direct services, prevention, outreach,
training and education efforts. Estimates are acceptable.

How many paid part-time staff dedicated to working with
victims worked at your organization at the beginning
of the past calendar/fiscal year? Count each person only
once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that type. Include
contractual workers in your counts. Estimates are acceptable.
Check box if estimate

7

I2

How much funding did your organization receive from each
of the following sources during the past calendar/fiscal
year? Enter ‘0’ if you did not receive funding from the source.
The total amount across all sources should equal the amount
provided in Q.I1. Estimates are acceptable.
 heck box if information on amount of funding by source is
C
not available
a. Victims of Crime Act
$
Assistance Grant (VOCA)

b. Other Office on Victims of
Crime (OVC)
c. Services, Training, Officers,
and Prosecutors (STOP)
d. Sexual Assault Services
Program (SASP)
e. Other Office on Violence
against Women (OVW)
f. Family Violence Prevention
Services Act (FVPSA)
g. Other federal funding,
please specify

Check box if estimate

SECTION J
Record Keeping
J1

 es
Y
No
J2

$

$

$
K1

$
Check box if estimate

i. Local government funding

j. Tribal government funding

$
Check box if estimate
K2

k. Source of funds unknown

l. Other funding sources (e.g.,
foundations, corporate funding,
individual donations, insurance
reimbursements, etc.)
I3

Check box if estimate

$
K3

$

$
Check box if estimate
K4

Check box if estimate

How concerned are you about the burden of grant
reporting?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

Did your organization receive any federal funding for victim
programming or services within the past 5 years? This could
include funding from VOCA, OVC, OVW, a STOP or SASP grant,
or some other funding coming from a federal agency.
Yes
No

How concerned are you about the predictability of future
funding for your program?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

Check box if estimate

$

How concerned are you about the amount of victim
service funding that your organization received in the
past year?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

$

Check box if estimate

How concerned are you about your organization’s ability
to retain staff?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

Check box if estimate

h. State government funding
(NOT state disbursement of
federal grant)

Does your electronic records system track individual
cases?

SECTION K
Current Issues of Concern to
Victim Service Providers

Check box if estimate

$

Skip to Section K

 es
Y
No

Check box if estimate

Check box if estimate

Does your organization use an electronic records system
to maintain case files?

K5

How concerned are you about your organization’s ability
to access technology?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

8

Thank you for your participation.

Mailing Instructions
Please place the completed questionnaire into the postage-paid return envelope. If the
envelope has been misplaced, please mail the questionnaire to:
National Survey of Victim Service Providers
NORC at the University of Chicago
1 North State Street - 16th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
If you have any questions, please call NORC toll free at 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX
or email [email protected].

Attachment 2: Field Test: Follow-up methods and modalities

Random Assignment 

Hard Copy Mail contact attempt

Letter US Mail

Post Card

Modality of survey complete

Email 
contact

Fed Ex

Fax 
contact

Phone 
contact

Web

Phone

PAPI/  
Mail











































No‐Pre‐contact*  

Pre‐contact* (1) 
≤ 10 calls

Pre‐notification/
heads up letter (2) 
1

1
14 days

1

Formal invitation Letter (3) 

1

14 days

1

Reminder Postcard/Email (4)

1

21 days

1

Reminder Letter/Email (5)

1

7 days

5‐10 calls

Phone prompt (6)

7 days

1

Mass Email/Fax prompt (7)

1

14 days
1

FedEx prompt (8)

14 ‐21 
days

1

1

5 calls
'Last Chance' contact (9)

4

1

1

0

6

0

1

Varies

*

Half of the VSPs in this group will be recipients of federal victim service grants and half will not.

Appendix 1A: VSO Invitation/Survey Cover letter

<>
<><<FNAME>> <<LNAME>> <<SUFFIX>>
<<AGCYNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY, STATE ZIP>>

<<SUID>>

Dear <<TITLE>><<LNAME>>:
The U.S Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) are working
together to gather much needed data about victim service providers. Our federal agencies recognize the importance of
prioritizing data collection to better understand the scope of violence and crime in America. However, existing data
does not adequately address the needs of crime victims or the capacity of organizations that serve victims. To build the
necessary capacity to better serve victims, their families, and communities, we need improved, more reliable data on the
allocation of resources that serve victims and on potential gaps in services or other resource limitations.
BJS and OVC have teamed up with the RAND Corp., the National Center for Victims of Crime, and the National
Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago to conduct the first national survey of victim service
providers. Our primary goals are to define the field of victim service providers by learning how many organizations and
agencies serve victims or survivors of different types of crime and abuse; gathering information about basic forms of
service; and beginning to understand staff size, budgets and streams of funding. These types of data are critical for
documenting the needs of victim service organizations and agencies, helping to plan for the future, and attracting
government and private funding to support your critical work.
In order to make sure that the data collected are valid and reliable and truly represent the victim service field, it is
imperative that victim service providers like you participate in this effort. To ensure that the survey works, we are
asking your help in pilot testing the survey. Your organization was randomly chosen from a list of victim service
providers in the US to participate in this pilot survey and help us confirm that the survey procedures, and the survey
itself, run smoothly. The survey should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. Your answers will be confidential
and there are no major risks/discomforts to you as a participant. Your organization and your survey responses will not
be identified in any pilot testing reports or made public in any manner.
In about two weeks, you will receive a participant passcode to complete the survey online through a secure server. If
you prefer, NORC can also send you a paper copy version of the survey that you can return via mail or fax. A postcard
and phone number will be provided in our next mailing for you to request a paper version of the survey. In the
meantime, if you would like more information about this survey, the larger research efforts related to victim services or
the many organizations working on and supporting this data collection, please visit the project website at ______. You
may also reach out to ____ with additional questions by telephone (X), or e-mail (X).
Although this study is voluntary, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation to make the results comprehensive,
accurate, and timely. We hope that you will be able to participate in this important project and thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
_____________________
William Sabol
Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics

_____________________
Joye Frost
Director, Office for Victims of Crime

Appendix 1B: Letter 2-Formal survey invitation to VSOs

<<DATE>>
<<TITLE>><<FNAME>> <<LNAME>> <<SUFFIX>>
<<AGCYNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY, STATE ZIP>>

<<SUID>>

Dear <<TITLE>><<LNAME>>:
About two weeks ago we sent you a letter informing you of an upcoming survey from the U.S Department of Justice’s
Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). The National Survey of Victim Service
Providers (NSVSP) is now online and we respectfully request your participation.
As outlined earlier, BJS and OVC are working with RAND, the National Center for Victims of Crime, and National
Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago to conduct this first survey of all victim serving
organizations and agencies. To build the necessary capacity to better serve victims, their families, and communities, we
need improved, more reliable data on the allocation of resources that serve victims and on potential gaps in services or
other resource limitations. While there have been many smaller surveys in the past, none have attempted to gather basic
information that accurately reflects all parts of the victim services field across the U.S. Our primary goals are to define
the field of victim service providers by learning how many organizations and agencies serve victims or survivors of
different types of crime and abuse; gathering information about basic forms of service; and beginning to understand
staff size, budgets and streams of funding. These types of data are critical for documenting the needs of victim service
organizations and agencies, helping to plan for the future, and attracting government and private funding to support
your critical work.
Your organization was randomly chosen from a list of victim service providers in the United States to participate in a
pilot test of the NSVSP. The pilot test will help us to understand the easiest way for organizations to complete the
survey and to make sure the survey and related procedures run smoothly. Your participation in this survey is extremely
important to the success of this critically important study. The survey should take about 30 minutes to complete Your
answers will be confidential and there are no major risks/discomforts to you as a participant. Neither personal nor
organizational information will be identified in the project reports.
We encourage you to visit the following secure website (INSERT WEBLINK) to complete the NSVSP survey using the
following unique username and password: (INSERT USERNAME AND PASSWORD).
Alternatively, if you prefer, we can send you a paper version of the survey that you can mail or fax back to NORC.
Please contact ________ at _______ to request a paper copy of this survey. If you would like more information about
this survey, the larger project, or the many organizations working on or supporting this effort, please visit the project
website at ______. You may also contact ____ with additional questions by telephone (X), or e-mail (X).
Although this study is voluntary, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation to make the results comprehensive,
accurate, and timely. We thank you for your time and participation in this important project.
Sincerely,
_____________________
William Sabol
Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics

_____________________
Joye Frost
Director, Office for Victims of Crime

Appendix 2: VSO Thank you Reminder Note Post Card/E-Card

We recently sent you the National Survey of Victim Service Providers (NSVSP).
This survey, by the U.S Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics and Office for Victims of Crime, is the first
national data collection of all victim serving organizations and agencies. To build the necessary capacity to better serve
victims, their families, and communities, we need improved, more reliable data on the allocation of resources that serve
victims, and on potential gaps in services or other resource limitations. While there have been many smaller surveys in the
past, none have attempted to gather basic information that accurately reflects all parts of the victim services field across the
U.S. Our primary goals are to define the field of victim service providers by learning how many organizations and agencies
serve victims or survivors of different types of crime and abuse; gather information about basic forms of service; and begin to
understand staff size, budgets and streams of funding. These types of data are critical for documenting the needs of victim
service organizations and agencies, helping to plan for the future, and attracting government and private funding to support
your critical work.
If you have already completed and returned the NSVSP, please accept our sincere thanks. If not, please do so this week. It is
extremely important that we obtain a high response so that accurate information may be presented to the victim service
provider community.
Please go to the following secure website (INSERT WEBLINK) to complete NSVSP survey using the following (INSERT
USERNAME AND PASSWORD). If you prefer, as an alternative, we can send you a hard copy version of the survey that
you can mail or fax back to NORC. Please contact ________ at _______ if you want a hard copy.

Appendix 3: Step 6 VSP First Phone Prompt Script

Hello, my name is [NAME]. I’m calling from NORC at the University of Chicago. I need to speak with
_________________________
We recently sent you an invitation to complete the National Survey of Victim Service Providers, also known as
the NSVSP. The NSVSP is a very important study of victim service providers by the US Department of Justice. The
NSVSP will provide for much needed data to help providers like your organization to better serve victims, and
identify gaps in services and resource limitations for victims across the US.
Did you receive the letter or email invitation that we sent?


IF THEY DID RECEIVE THE INVITATION

Have you completed the survey?
IF YES, Please accept our sincere thanks. AND ASK THEM IF THEY CAN RETURN THE SURVEY IN THE NEXT WEEK
IF THEY DID PAPI. ALTERNATIVELY, IF THEY DID IT BY WEB THEN DOUBLE CHECK THE SYSTEM FOR A RECENT
ONLINE COMPLETION WITHIN THE NEXT DAY.
IF NO — Would you be willing to complete a survey? We have three ways to complete the survey. I can email
you the link and your organization’s PIN and password to access our online version of the survey. We can also
mail a paper version of the survey to you mail if you prefer that method. Also, we can complete the survey over
the phone. We can complete the survey right now, if you have time or, if you don’t have time right now, we can
schedule a convenient time to call back.
[OPTION 1] IF A FIRM ‘NO’ TO COMPLETING A SURVEY:
I appreciate that you do not wish to participate and we will not contact you again after this point, but could you
tell me why you will not be participating?
Is it because:
i.
The survey does not seem to be important;
ii.
The survey asks for information that you do not want to provide to the federal government;
iii.
The survey seems too burdensome;
iv.
You do not have the time or staff to complete the survey;
v.
You do not participate in any surveys ever.
vi.
Another reason? ______________________________________________________________
[OPTION 2] IF A ‘YES’ TO COMPLETING THE SURVEY NOW BY PHONE: PROCEED WITH THE PHONE VERSION OF
THE SURVEY
[OPTION 3] IF A ‘YES’ BUT THEY HAVE QUESTIONS - PROCEED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS USING THE ATTACHED
FAQ. IF THEY WANT TO DO SURVEY NOW THEN BEGIN SURVEY OVER THE PHONE OR SCHEDULE A CALL TO
COMPLETE THE SURVEY OR REMIND THEM OF WEB OPTION OR HARD PAPI TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY.
[OPTION 4] IF A ‘YES’ BUT THEY WANT EITHER WEB OR MAIL MODE – CONFIRM THE CONTACT INFORMATION
(BOTH EMAIL AND POSTAL ADDRESS) OF THE RESPONDENT. SEND THE EMAIL IMMEDIATELY.

Appendix 3: Step 6 VSP First Phone Prompt Script

[OPTION 5] IF A ‘MAYBE’: TRY TO ADDRESS ANY OF THEIR CONCERNS (CONSULT BELOW FAQ AS NECESSARY)
AND TELL THEM THAT IF THEY CANNOT DO IT NOW THAT YOU COULD CALL THEM BACK AT THEIR CONVENIENCE
OVER THE NEXT WEEK TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY. OR SEE IF THEY WILL AGREE TO DO THE SURVEY USING THE
WEB OR PAPER VERSION.
FIRST, ASK THEM IF THEY HAVE SPECIFIC CONCERNS ABOUT THE STUDY OR HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
PURPOSE OR NATURE OF THE SURVEY.
ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS AND EXPLAIN TO THEM THE VALUE OF THE SURVEY AND WHY WE ARE
DOING THE SURVEY. USE THE FOLLOWING SCRIPT TO EXPLAIN THE STUDY:
The U.S Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) are
working together with our research team to conduct this first survey of all victim serving organizations and
agencies.
While there have been other smaller surveys, none has attempted to gather basic information that reflects all
parts of the victim services field across the country. Our goal is to define the field of victim service providers,
including learning how many organizations and agencies serve victims or survivors of which types of crime or
abuse; provide what basic forms of service; with what size staff and budgets; and with what funding.
Because it is so important to get wide participation in this survey, we want to make sure the ways that we are
asking victim service providers to participate really works for the respondents.
The current research is a pilot test, or trial run, of about 600 agencies and organizations to make sure the survey
and related procedures run smoothly. The survey should only take about 30 minutes to complete.
I am happy to answer any questions you have about the survey and its importance for charting the future of
victim service providers in the US. If you are online now, I can also walk you through the project website that
has more information about the survey and show you the many organizations are working on or supporting this
effort [E.G., OVC, OVW, VOCA ADMINISTRATORS]. The project website is at __________________.
Although this study is voluntary, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation to make the results
comprehensive, accurate, and timely.


IF THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE INVITATION OR ARE OTHERWISE UNAWARE OF THE SURVEY:

VERIFY THAT THE INFORMATION WE HAVE FOR THEM IS CORRECT. We have been sending our survey materials
to ___________________, using the email address _____________ and the following phone number
________________________. Is that the correct address for your organization?
IF IT IS NOT THAN UPDATE OUR RECORDS AND PROCEED TO EXPLAIN THE SURVEY USING THIS LANGUAGE:
The U.S Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) are
working together with our research team to conduct this first survey of all victim serving organizations and
agencies.

Appendix 3: Step 6 VSP First Phone Prompt Script

While there have been other smaller surveys, none has attempted to gather basic information that reflects all
parts of the victim services field across the country. Our goal is to define the field of victim service providers,
including learning how many organizations and agencies serve victims or survivors of which types of crime or
abuse; provide what basic forms of service; with what size staff and budgets; and with what funding.
Because it is so important to get wide participation in this survey, we want to make sure the ways that we are
asking victim service providers to participate really works for the respondents.
The current research is a pilot test, or trial run, of about 600 agencies and organizations to make sure the survey
and related procedures run smoothly. The survey should only take about 30 minutes to complete.
I am happy to answer any questions you have about the survey and its importance for charting the future of
victim service providers in the US. If you are online now, I can also walk you through the project website that
has more information about the survey and show you the many organizations are working on or supporting this
effort [E.G., OVC, OVW, VOCA ADMINISTRATORS]. The project website is at __________________.
Although this study is voluntary, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation to make the results
comprehensive, accurate, and timely.
USE THE BELOW FAQ IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BUT ALSO ASK THEM IF THEY WILL COMPLETE THE
SURVEY.
We have three ways to complete the survey. I can email you the link and your organization’s PIN and password
to access our online version of the survey. We can also mail a paper version of the survey to you if you prefer
that method. Also, we can complete the survey over the phone. We can complete the survey right now, if you
have time or, if you don’t have time right now, we can schedule a convenient time to call back.
IF THE VSP PROVIDES A CLEAR REFUSAL THAN YOU SHOULD SWITCH TO OPTION 1 ABOVE.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What is the purpose of this survey?
Our goal is to define the field of victim service providers. We are trying to learn
 How many organizations and agencies serve victims of crime or abuse
 The types of victims serviced and the types of crimes or abuse they experienced;
 What basic forms of service the organizations provide;
 What size staff and budgets the organizations have; and
 What funding the victim service providers use to assist victims and survivors.
Who is funding this Survey?
The U.S Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, with funding from the Office for Victims of Crime is
funding this research.
Why is this study being funded?

Appendix 3: Step 6 VSP First Phone Prompt Script

Increasingly, data collection and analysis is being prioritized as a way to better understand the scope of violence
and crime in America. However, we do not have the appropriate data to address the needs of crime victims or
the capacity of organizations that serve victims. The NSVSP will fill an important information gap and provide
more reliable data on the allocation of resources to provide service to victims, as well as gaps in services and
resource limitations.
Who are the other companies that are involved?
USDOJ is working with RAND, the National Center for Victims of Crime, and NORC at the University of Chicago to
conduct survey. RAND helped USDOJ to create the survey itself and NORC is the data collection contractor.
Aren’t there other surveys that already to this?
No, there aren’t. This is the first survey of all victim serving organizations and agencies. While there have been
many smaller surveys in the past, none has attempted to gather basic information that accurately reflects all
parts of the victim services field across the US.
You mentioned this was a pilot study. What are the next steps?
Yes, this is a pilot study which is a common strategy in survey research. To ensure that the survey works, we are
asking your help in pilot testing the survey so we can make sure that the survey procedures, and the survey
itself, run smoothly. If this first survey achieves solid participation—that is we have confidence that we now
know what “the field” looks like—it would then be possible to obtain more detailed information in a subsequent
survey about the staff, standards, trainings, technology, and other information about victim service providers.
Why does it matter if my organization responds?
We want to make sure the survey and the data collection methods that we are using really works for the all
different types of victim service providers. Your organization was randomly chosen to represent the experiences
of organizations like yours in this pilot study. That’s why we are asking you now to help pilot test the survey.
Will I have to do this survey all over again after the pilot phase is over?
Please note that you will not be asked to complete the whole survey again during the main administration of the
survey. This pilot test is a trial run of about 600 agencies and organizations to make sure the survey and related
procedures run smoothly.
How long will it take to do the survey?
The survey should take about 30 minutes to complete.
Who else will see my answers? Are there any other risks to my organization?
Your answers will be confidential and there are no major risks/discomforts to you as a participant. Neither
personal nor organizational information will be identified in the project reports or made public in any manner.
Although this study is voluntary, you may discontinue participation at any time, and decline to answer any
questions, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation to make the results inclusive, accurate and timely.
I would like to see some other information about this survey. Where can I look?

Appendix 3: Step 6 VSP First Phone Prompt Script

I am happy to answer any questions you have about the survey. If you are online now, I can also walk you
through the project website that has more information about the survey and show you the many organizations
working on or supporting this effort (e.g., OVC, OVW, VOCA administrators). The project website is at ______.
Thank you for your time.
YOU CAN BEGIN THE PHONE SURVEY IF THEY PRFER TO DO THE SURVEY OVER THE PHONE OR SECURE A DATE
AND TIME FOR ANOTHER TIME TO DO THE SURVEY.
END CALL.

Appendix 4: FedEx/US mail/Email/Fax reminder letter to VSO

<<DATE>>
<<TITLE>><<FNAME>> <<LNAME>> <<SUFFIX>>
<<AGCYNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY, STATE ZIP>>

<<SUID>>

Dear <<TITLE>><<LNAME>>:
We have been trying to reach ______ over the last month to complete the National Survey of Victim Service
Providers (NSVSP) and we have not yet received your response.
This survey, by the U.S Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics and Office for Victims of Crime, is the
first national data collection of all victim serving organizations and agencies. To build the necessary capacity to better
serve victims, their families, and communities, we need improved, more reliable data on the allocation of resources
that serve victims and on potential gaps in services or other resource limitations. While there have been many smaller
surveys in the past, none have attempted to gather basic information that accurately reflects all parts of the victim
services field across the U.S. Our primary goals are to define the field of victim service providers by learning how
many organizations and agencies serve victims or survivors of different types of crime and abuse; gathering
information about basic forms of service; and beginning to understand staff size, budgets and streams of funding.
These types of data are critical for documenting the needs of victim service organizations and agencies, helping to
plan for the future, and attracting government and private funding to support your critical work.
Your organization was randomly chosen from a list of victim service providers in the United States to participate in a
pilot test of the NSVSP. The pilot test will help us to understand the easiest way for organizations to complete the
survey and to make sure the survey and related procedures run smoothly. Your participation in this survey is
extremely important to the success of this critically important study. The survey should take about 30 minutes to
complete. Your answers will be confidential and there are no major risks/discomforts to you as a participant.
Neither personal nor organizational information will be identified in the project reports.
Please go to the following secure website (INSERT WEBLINK) to complete the NSVSP survey using the following
unique username and password: (INSERT USERNAME AND PASSWORD).
Alternatively, if you prefer, we can send you a paper version of the survey that you can mail or fax back to the
National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago. Please contact ________ at _______ to
request a paper copy of this survey. If you would like more information about this survey, the larger project, or the
many organizations working on or supporting this effort, please visit the project website at ______. You may also
contact ____ with additional questions by telephone (X), or e-mail (X).
Although this study is voluntary, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation to make the results
comprehensive, accurate, and timely. We thank you for your time and participation in this important project.
Sincerely,
_____________________
William Sabol
Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics

_____________________
Joye Frost
Director, Office for Victims of Crime

Appendix 5: NSVSO Last Chance Letter

<<DATE>>
<<TITLE>><<FNAME>> <<LNAME>> <<SUFFIX>>
<<AGCYNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY, STATE ZIP>>

<<SUID>>

Dear <<TITLE>><<LNAME>>:
The National Survey of Victim Service Providers (NSVSP) is quickly coming to a close and we have not yet received
your response.
The research team has made multiple attempts to reach you by phone and mail over the past couple of months. Please
recognize that the NSVSP is a very important survey by the U.S Department of Justice’s (USDOJ) Bureau of Justice
Statistics and Office for Victims of Crime and is the first national data collection of all victim serving organizations and
agencies. To build the necessary capacity to better serve victims, their families, and communities, we need improved,
more reliable data on the allocation of resources that serve victims and on potential gaps in services or other resource
limitations. While there have been many smaller surveys in the past, none have attempted to gather basic information
that accurately reflects all parts of the victim services field across the U.S. Our primary goals are to define the field of
victim service providers by learning how many organizations and agencies serve victims or survivors of different types
of crime and abuse; gathering information about basic forms of service; and beginning to understand staff size, budgets
and streams of funding. These types of data are critical for documenting the needs of victim service organizations and
agencies, helping to plan for the future, and attracting government and private funding to support your critical work.
Your organization was randomly chosen from a list of victim service providers in the United States to participate in a
pilot test of the NSVSP. The pilot test will help us to understand the easiest way for organizations to complete the
survey and to make sure the survey and related procedures run smoothly. Your participation in this survey is extremely
important to the success of this critically important study. The survey should take about 30 minutes to complete. Your
answers will be confidential and there are no major risks/discomforts to you as a participant. Neither personal nor
organizational information will be identified in the project reports.
We ask that you take a short amount of time to complete and return the form by _____________.
Please go to the following secure website (INSERT WEBLINK) to complete the NSVSP survey using the following
unique username and password: (INSERT USERNAME AND PASSWORD). Alternatively, if you prefer, we can
send you a paper version of the survey that you can mail or fax back to the National Opinion Research Center (NORC)
at the University of Chicago. Please contact ________ at _______ to request a paper copy of this survey. If you
would like more information about this survey, the larger project, or the many organizations working on or supporting
this effort, please visit the project website at ______ or call us at ____.
Although this study is voluntary, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation to make the results comprehensive,
accurate, and timely. We thank you for your time and participation in this important project.
Sincerely,
_____________________
William Sabol
Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics

_____________________
Joye Frost
Director, Office for Victims of Crime

Appendix 6: Last chance phone script

Hello, my name is [NAME]. I’m calling from NORC at the University of Chicago. I need to speak with
_________________.
We have been trying to get a staff member of _________________________ to complete the National Survey of
Victim Service Providers called the NSVSP.
We apologize for all the contacts by phone on ___________ and the letters [AND/OR EMAILS] over the past
couple of months. However, the NSVSP is a very important survey for victim service providers to complete to
ensure your organization’s experience is counted in this first national study of victim service providers by the US
Department of Justice. The NSVSP will provide for much needed data to help providers like your organization to
better serve victims, and identify gaps in services and resource limitations for victims across the US.
The NSVSP survey is now closing and we have not received your response. It is very important that we get
responses from all of the organizations that have been selected so that all different types of victim service
providers can have their voices heard.
Did you intend to complete the survey?
If Yes: Thank you. As I stated, we are very near the end of data collection. We have three ways to complete the
survey. If you have time right now, we can complete the survey over the phone. If you don’t have time right
now, we can schedule a time to call back in the next day or two, I can email you the link and your organization’s
PIN and password to access our online version of the survey. We can also send a paper version of the survey to
you via express mail if you prefer that method.
Could you complete a survey with us now over the phone?
[OPTION 1] IF A FIRM ‘NO’:
I appreciate that you do not wish to participate and we will not contact you again after this point, but could you
tell me why you will not be participating?
Is it because:
i.
The survey does not seem to be important;
ii.
The survey asks for information that you do not want to provide to the federal government;
iii.
The survey seems too burdensome;
iv.
You do not have the time or staff to complete the survey;
v.
You do not participate in any surveys ever.
vi.
Another reason? ______________________________________________________________
[OPTION 2] VSP STATES THAT THEY JUST COMPLETED IT A DAY OR SO BEFORE OUR CALL: THANK THEM AND
ASK THEM IF THEY CAN RETURN THE SURVEY IN THE NEXT WEEK IF THEY DID PAPI. ALTERNATIVELY, IF THEY DID
IT BY WEB THEN DOUBLE CHECK THE SYSTEM FOR A RECENT ONLINE COMPLETION WITHIN THE NEXT DAY.
[OPTION 3] IF A ‘YES’: PROCEED WITH THE PHONE VERSION OF THE SURVEY

Appendix 6: Last chance phone script

[OPTION 4] IF A ‘YES’ BUT THEY WANT EITHER WEB OR MAIL MODE – CONFIRM THE CONTACT INFORMATION
(BOTH EMAIL AND POSTAL ADDRESS) OF THE RESPONDENT. SEND THE EMAIL IMMEDIATELY.
[OPTION 5] IF A ‘YES’ BUT THEY HAVE QUESTIONS - PROCEED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS USING THE BELOW FAQ.
IF THEY WANT TO DO SURVEY NOW THEN BEGIN SURVEY OVER THE PHONE OR SCHEDULE A CALL TO COMPLETE
THE SURVEY OR REMIND THEM OF WEB OPTION OR HARD PAPI TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY.
[OPTION 6] IF A ‘YES’ BUT NOT NOW: REMIND THEM THIS IS THE FINAL OPPORTUNITY BUT THAT YOU COULD
CALL THEM BACK AT THEIR CONVENIENCE OVER THE NEXT WEEK TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY OR SEE IF THEY
WILL AGREE TO DO THE SURVEY USING THE WEB OR PAPER VERSION.
[OPTION 7] IF A ‘MAYBE’: TRY TO ADDRESS ANY OF THEIR CONCERNS (CONSULT BELOW FAQ AS NECESSARY)
AND TELL THEM THAT IF THEY CANNOT DO IT NOW THAT YOU COULD CALL THEM BACK AT THEIR CONVENIENCE
OVER THE NEXT WEEK TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY. OR SEE IF THEY WILL AGREE TO DO THE SURVEY USING THE
WEB OR PAPER VERSION.
[OPTION 8] IF THEY CLAIM TO NOT HAVE RECEIVED THE INVITATION OR ARE OTHERWISE UNAWARE OF THE
SURVEY: VERIFY THAT THE INFORMATION WE HAVE FOR THEM IS CORRECT. We have been sending our survey
materials to ___________________, using the email address _____________ and the following phone number
________________________. Is that the correct address for your organization? IF IT IS NOT THAN UPDATE
OUR RECORDS AND PROCEED TO EXPLAIN THE SURVEY USING THE BELOW FAQ AND SEE IF THEY WILL
COMPLETE THE SURVEY OVER THE PHONE. IF THE CONTACT INFORMATION IS CORRECT THEN STILL PROCEED
TO SEE IF THEY WILL COMPLETE THE SURVEY OVER THE PHONE. IF THE VSP PROVIDES A CLEAR REFUSAL THAN
SWITCH TO OPTION 1 ABOVE.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What is the purpose of this survey?
Our goal is to define the field of victim service providers. We are trying to learn
• How many organizations and agencies serve victims of crime or abuse
• The types of victims serviced and the types of crimes or abuse they experienced;
• What basic forms of service the organizations provide;
• What size staff and budgets the organizations have; and
• What funding the victim service providers use to assist victims and survivors.
Who is funding this Survey?
The U.S Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, with funding from the Office for Victims of Crime is
funding this research.
Why is this study being funded?
Increasingly, data collection and analysis is being prioritized as a way to better understand the scope of violence
and crime in America. However, we do not have the appropriate data to address the needs of crime victims or
the capacity of organizations that serve victims. The NSVSP will fill an important information gap and provide
more reliable data on the allocation of resources to provide service to victims, as well as gaps in services and
resource limitations.

Appendix 6: Last chance phone script

Who are the other companies that are involved?
USDOJ is working with RAND, the National Center for Victims of Crime, and NORC at the University of Chicago to
conduct survey. RAND helped USDOJ to create the survey itself and NORC is the data collection contractor.
Aren’t there other surveys that already to this?
No, there aren’t. This is the first survey of all victim serving organizations and agencies. While there have been
many smaller surveys in the past, none has attempted to gather basic information that accurately reflects all
parts of the victim services field across the US.
You mentioned this was a pilot study. What are the next steps?
Yes, this is a pilot study which is a common strategy in survey research. To ensure that the survey works, we are
asking your help in pilot testing the survey so we can make sure that the survey procedures, and the survey
itself, run smoothly. If this first survey achieves solid participation—that is we have confidence that we now
know what “the field” looks like—it would then be possible to obtain more detailed information in a subsequent
survey about the staff, standards, trainings, technology, and other information about victim service providers.
Why does it matter if my organization responds?
We want to make sure the survey and the data collection methods that we are using really works for the all
different types of victim service providers. Your organization was randomly chosen to represent the experiences
of organizations like yours in this pilot study. That’s why we are asking you now to help pilot test the survey.
Will I have to do this survey all over again after the pilot phase is over?
Please note that you will not be asked to complete the whole survey again during the main administration of the
survey. This pilot test is a trial run of about 600 agencies and organizations to make sure the survey and related
procedures run smoothly.
How long will it take to do the survey?
The survey should take about 30 minutes to complete.
Who else will see my answers? Are there any other risks to my organization?
Your answers will be confidential and there are no major risks/discomforts to you as a participant. Neither
personal nor organizational information will be identified in the project reports or made public in any manner.
Although this study is voluntary, you may discontinue participation at any time, and decline to answer any
questions, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation to make the results inclusive, accurate and timely.
I would like to see some other information about this survey. Where can I look?
I am happy to answer any questions you have about the survey. If you are online now, I can also walk you
through the project website that has more information about the survey and show you the many organizations
working on or supporting this effort (e.g., OVC, OVW, VOCA administrators). The project website is at ______.
I hope that I answered any questions that you have about the NSVSP. Would you like to begin the survey
now?
BEGIN THE PHONE SURVEY IF THEY PRFER TO DO THE SURVEY NOW OVER THE PHONE OR IF THEY CAN NOT DO

Appendix 6: Last chance phone script

THE SURVEY NOW SECURE A DATE AND TIME IN THE NEXT WEEK TO DO THE SURVEY OVER THE PHONE.
IF A FIRM ‘NO,’ FOLLOW THE ABOVE OPTION 1‘NO’ PROTOCOL FOR ASKING ONE QUESTION ABOUT THE REASON
FOR THEIR ORGANIZATION’S NON-RESPONSE.
END CALL.

National Survey of Victim Service Providers
A study by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics to better understand the range of
services available for and provided to different types of crime victims.

Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of
information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated
to average 30 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining
the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other
aspects of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810
Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC 20531. The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3732),
authorizes this information collection. This request for information is in accordance with the clearance requirement of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1980, as amended (44 U.S.C. 3507). Although this survey is voluntary, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation
to make the results comprehensive, accurate, and timely.

OMB Number: 1121-0339
Approval expires 01/31/2016

National Survey of Victim Service Providers
Survey Instructions
Please mark your response with an “X” using blue or black ink, as in the examples below.
Example:

Example:
Right Way

Other, specify:

Wrong Way

Survey Purpose and Sponsors

General Instructions

The National Survey of Victim Service Providers (NSVSP) is designed
to fill existing gaps in knowledge and information on the variety of
organizations that provide services to victims of crime, the types of
victims served and services provided, and staffing and resources
available for the provision of services.

Your organization is receiving this survey because it has been
identified as providing at least some services or assistance to victims
of crime. The survey should be completed by the person(s) in your
organization with knowledge of and access to information on the
provision of these services. To help you prepare to take the survey, we
will be asking for information about the number and types of services
your organization provided to victims in the past year, the types
of crimes for which victims sought your services in the past year,
the number of staff providing victim services at your organization,
and your victim services budget. The survey should take about 30
minutes to complete. Please respond to all items.

The first goal of the NSVSP is to develop a clearer picture of the victim
services field. While there are many directories in place, and many lists
of organizations serving specific types of victims, they are not all inclusive
and many are not routinely updated. This survey will provide a picture of
the broad range of victim service providers across the country, including
how they are structured, the types of services they offer, and the types of
crime victims they serve. Your organization has been randomly selected
to participate in a small pilot test of the larger NSVSP data collection
effort.

Confidentiality Assurances
The information you provide will be used to generate aggregate
statistics on the provision of victim services. Your organization will
not be identified in any statistical reports produced by the Bureau of
Justice Statistics.

Information obtained from this initial pilot test will inform efforts to conduct
a census of the over 21,000 service providers in our current database.
Ultimately, through the census and additional survey efforts the NSVSP
aims to provide comprehensive, empirical data useful for funding and
planning purposes. An additional goal is to standardize measures of
victim services, enabling service providers to compare themselves with
other providers serving similar types of victims.

Burden Statement
Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information
collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection
of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control
Number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering
and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing
the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate, or any other aspects of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director,
Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC
20531. The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968,
as amended (42 U.S.C. 3732), authorizes this information collection.
This request for information is in accordance with the clearance
requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as amended
(44 U.S.C. 3507). Although this survey is voluntary, we urgently need
and appreciate your cooperation to make the results comprehensive,
accurate, and timely.

This survey is sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Justice and funded by the federal Office for Victims of
Crime.

Important Definitions
1) CRIME - An act which if done by a competent adult or juvenile would
be a criminal offense
2) VICTIM - Any person who contacts your organization for services
or assistance that are related to concerns over past, on-going, or
potential future crimes and other abuse. This includes those who are
directly harmed or threated by such crimes, but also their…
a) Family or household members,
b) Legal representatives, or
c) Survivors (if deceased)
3) SERVICE ­- Efforts that (1) respond to the needs of crime victims; (2)
assist victims of crime to stabilize their lives after a victimization; (3)
assist victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice
system; or (4) provide victims of crime with measures of safety and
security.

2

S1

Before you begin, please complete the following pieces of
information for your program.

SECTION A
A1

Agency Name:

 he primary function of the organization is to provide
T
services or programming for victims of crime.
Skip to A2
Victim services or programming are one component of the
larger organization (e.g., a hospital, university, community
center, law enforcement agency or prosecutors’ office)
Proceed to A1a

Address:
Address:
City, State, ZIP:
Main business
phone number:
Director, Victim
Services:

 A1a. D
 oes your organization have a specific
program(s) or staff that are dedicated to
working with crime victims?
Yes
No

Email address:


S2

Did you provide services to victims of crime or abuse in
the past month?
Yes
No

Which of the following best describes how your
organization is structured to provide services to victims
of crime or abuse?

A2

Go to A1
 hank you! You do not need to complete the rest
T
of this survey. We will correct your listing. <End
of Survey>
Please see mailing instructions after page 8.

Which of the following best describes your
organization? Select one response.
a. Tribal government or
other tribal organization or
entity

 o to Section B
G
[Tribal], page 4

b. Campus organization or other
educational institution (public
or private)

 o to Section C
G
[Campus], page 4

c. Hospital, medical, or
emergency facility (public or
private)

 o to Section G
G
[Services for
Victims],
page 5

d. Government agency

 o to Section D
G
[Government],
page 4

e. Nonprofit or faith-based entity
(501c3 status)

 o to Section E
G
[Nonprofit or faith
based], page 4

f. For profit entity

 o to Section F
G
[For profit],
page 5

g. Informal entity (e.g., some other

 o to Section G
G
[Services for
Victims],
page 5

type of program or group, not formally
a part of an agency, registered
nonprofit, or business; Independent
survivor advocacy and support
groups; volunteer, grassroots, or
survivor network)

3

SECTION B
Tribal Agencies and Organizations Only
B1

D2

Nationwide
Statewide
Regional/Multi-county/Multi-city
County wide only
City wide only
Specific neighborhood only
Other (please specify)

Which designation best describes your tribal agency or
organization? Select one response.
Law enforcement
Prosecutor
Court
Juvenile justice
Offender custody and supervision
Advocacy program
Other justice-based agency (please specify)

Go to section G [SERVICES FOR
All responses
VICTIMS], page 5

Other agency that is NOT justice-based (e.g., human
services, health, education, etc.) (please specify)

SECTION E
Non-Profit or Faith-Based
Organizations Only

Coalition
All responses
page 5

Go to section G [SERVICES FOR VICTIMS],
E1

Which designation best describes your campus
organization? Select one response.
Law enforcement/campus security
Campus disciplinary body or student conduct body
Physical or mental health service program
Victim services or advocacy group
Other campus-based program (please specify)

E2

Go to section G [SERVICES FOR VICTIMS],

SECTION D
Government Agencies Only
D1

In what service area/jurisdiction does your non-profit
organization operate? Select one response.
Nationwide
Statewide
Regional/Multi-county/Multi-city
County wide only
City wide only
Specific neighborhood only
Other (please specify)

All responses
page 5

Which designation best describes your non-profit
organization? Select one response.
Coalition (e.g., State Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault
Coalition)
A single entity (may or may not have multiple physical
locations)
Other (please specify)

SECTION C
Campus Organizations Only
C1

In what service area/jurisdiction does your agency
operate in terms of victims served or services delivered?
Select one response.

All responses
Go to section G [SERVICES FOR
VICTIMS], page 5

Which designation best describes your government
agency? Select one response.
Law enforcement
Prosecutor
Courts
Juvenile justice
Offender custody and supervision
Multi-agency (e.g., task forces, response teams, etc.)
Other government agency (please specify)

4

SECTION F
For-Profit Organizations Only
F1

The following questions concern services you provided to
victims of crime or abuse during past calendar/fiscal year.
For the remaining questions, please think about the
component of your organization that serve victims of crime
and abuse and about the victims who received services
during the past calendar/fiscal year. If your organization
served crime victims through a specific program, think
about that program when answering the remaining
questions.

What designation best describes your for-profit
organization? Select one response.
Private legal office/law firm
Private counseling service or other mental health care
provider
Funeral home
Other commercial or professional entity (please specify)

Did you provide any of the following services to
victims within the past calendar/fiscal year?
We recognize that victim service organizations provide a
wide array of services to victims. For the purposes of this
survey, we are asking about general categories of services
you provided to victims, which may not capture your victim
service offerings in detail. Do your best to place the
services you provided within the general categories below.

All responses
Go to section G [SERVICES FOR
VICTIMS], page 5

SECTION G
Services for Victims
G1

Does your organization operate/report data on a calendar
year or fiscal year?

Does your organization provide (…)

G2

/

/
DD

No

Yes

No

b. Service or victimization information
and referrals? (e.g., information about
crime and victimization; medical referrals;
legal referrals; financial counseling
referrals; other referrals; etc.)

G1.1. What is the date of the beginning of the fiscal year at
your organization?

MM

Yes

a. Justice related information and
referrals? (e.g., information about the
justice system and the victim’s role;
notification of events and proceedings;
justice referrals; etc.)

Calendar year
skip to G2
Fiscal year
proceed to G1.1
Both
proceed to G1.1

Information and referral services

YY

For the remainder of the questionnaire, unless indicated
otherwise, provide your answers based on the past fiscal
year or the past calendar year depending on how your
organization operates as answered in Question G1.

G3

Financial and material assistance services
Does your organization provide (…)
a. Monetary assistance? (e.g., providing
funds or offering assistance in seeking
victim compensation; public benefits
assistance; other emergency funds
assistance; etc.)
b. Material assistance? (e.g., emergency
or transitional shelter; food; clothing;
utility assistance; employment
assistance; etc.)

5

Emotional support and safety
Does your organization provide (…)

G4

G8

Yes

No

a. Mental health services? (e.g.,
individual; group counseling support
groups; other therapy; social
programming for children; etc.)

Yes
No
G9

b. Crisis Counseling
c. Safety services? (Safety planning;
witness protection; address
confidentiality; self-defense; etc.)
(Does NOT include protective orders)

G10

Yes

No

a. Emergency medical care or
accompaniment?

c. STD/HIV testing?
Legal and victims’ rights assistance
Does your organization provide (…)

G6

Yes

No

Yes

No

a. Criminal/juvenile/military/tribal
justice related assistance?
(e.g., representation; advocacy;
accompaniment; assistance in exercising
victims’ rights; etc.)
b. Civil justice related assistance? (e.g.,
protective or restraining order; assistance
with family law matters; assistance with
landlord/tenant matters; etc.)
c. Immigration assistance? (e.g.,
assistance seeking special visas;
continued presence applications; other
immigration relief; etc.)

G7

Other services
Does your organization provide (…)

How many calls did you receive from victims/survivors in
the past calendar/fiscal year? Estimates are acceptable.

Excluding hotline/helpline or crisis line calls, how
many unique victims received direct services from
your organization/program during the past calendar/
fiscal year? Estimates are acceptable. (Exclude services
provided through a hotline/helpline or crisis line and victims
who only received information through the mail)
Check box if estimate

b. Medical forensic exam or
accompaniment?

proceed to H9
skip to H10

Check box if estimate

Medical and health assistance
Does your organization provide (…)

G5

Did your organization operate a hotline/helpline or crisis
line at any time during the past calendar/fiscal year?

a. Case management?
b. Supervised child visitation?
c. On-scene coordinated response?
d. Education classes for survivors
regarding victimization dynamics?
e. Culturally and ethnically specific
services?
f. Specialized services for specific
settings? (e.g., military; school; college/
university; etc.)

6

G11

SECTION H
Staffing

During the past calendar/fiscal year did victims of
the following crime types seek services from your
organization?
Crime type for which victims sought services
Yes

The following questions concern staff dedicated to
working with victims of crime during past calendar/fiscal
year. Provide your answer based on the past fiscal
year or the past calendar year depending on how your
organization operates as answered in Question G1.

No

a. Adults molested as children
b. Child sexual abuse/sexual assault
c. Rape/sexual assault (other than sexual
victimizations against children)
d. Stalking

H1

e. Child witness of violence
f. Child physical abuse or neglect
g. Elder physical abuse
h. Domestic violence/dating violence

Current Staff

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s)
or staff dedicated to working with victims, how many
paid staff currently work at your organization as
full-time (35 hours or more/week)? Count each person
only once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that type.
Include contractual workers in your counts. Estimates are
acceptable.

i. Assault (Other than domestic/dating
violence or child/elder abuse)
j. Robbery

Check box if estimate
H2

k. Human trafficking (Labor)
l. Human trafficking: (Sex)
m. Survivors of homicide victims
n. Victim witness intimidation

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s)
or staff dedicated to working with victims, how many
paid staff currently work at your organization as parttime (less than 35 hours/week)? Count each person
only once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that type.
Include contractual workers in your counts. Estimates are
acceptable.

o. DUI/DWI crashes

Check box if estimate

p. Identity theft
q. Financial fraud and exploitation (Other
than identity theft)

H3

r. Motor vehicle theft

 es
Y
No

s. Burglary
t. Other property crimes

Staff at the beginning of the most recent
fiscal year

u. Other violent crimes
v. Other (specify)

Does your organization use volunteers to provide direct
services to victims?

H4

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s)
or staff dedicated to working with victims, how many
paid full-time staff worked at your organization at the
beginning of the past calendar/fiscal year? Count each
person only once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that
type. Include contractual workers in your counts. Estimates
are acceptable.
Check box if estimate

H5

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s)
or staff dedicated to working with victims, how many
paid part-time staff worked at your organization at the
beginning of the past calendar/fiscal year? Count each
person only once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that
type. Include contractual workers in your counts. Estimates
are acceptable.
Check box if estimate

7

New staff since the beginning of the most recent fiscal
year
H6

I2

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s) or
staff dedicated to working with victims, how many paid
full-time staff dedicated to working with victims did you hire
in the past calendar/fiscal year, whether to fill new positions
or to fill vacancies? Count each person only once. Enter ‘0’ if
there are no paid staff of that type. Include contractual workers

in your counts. Estimates are acceptable.

 heck box if information on amount of funding by source
C
is not available
a. Victims of Crime Act
$
Assistance Grant (VOCA)

Check box if estimate
H7

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s) or
staff dedicated to working with victims, how many paid
part-time staff dedicated to working with victims did you
hire in the past calendar/fiscal year, whether to fill new
positions or to fill vacancies? Count each person only once.
Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that type. Include contractual
workers in your counts. Estimates are acceptable.

b. Other Office on Victims of
Crime (OVC)
c. Services, Training, Officers,
and Prosecutors (STOP)
d. Sexual Assault Services
Program (SASP)

Check box if estimate

e. Other Office on Violence
against Women (OVW)

SECTION I
Funding
I1

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s)
or staff dedicated to working with crime victims, how
much funding did your organization receive from each
of the following sources during the past calendar/fiscal
year? Estimates are acceptable. Enter ‘0’ if you did not
receive funding from the source. The total amount across all
sources should equal the amount provided in item I1.

f. Family Violence Prevention
Services Act (FVPSA)

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s) or
staff dedicated to working with crime victims, how much
total funding did your organization receive for victim-related
programming and services (including direct services,
prevention, outreach, training, and education efforts) during
the past calendar/fiscal year? Please include direct services,
prevention, outreach, training and education efforts. Estimates
are acceptable.

g. Other federal funding,
please specify

Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

h. State government funding
(NOT state disbursement of
federal grant)
i. Local government funding

Check box if estimate

j. Tribal government funding

k. Source of funds unknown

l. Other funding sources (e.g.,
foundations, corporate funding,
individual donations, insurance
reimbursements, etc.)

8

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

I3

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s)
or staff dedicated to working with crime victims, did
your organization receive any federal funding for victim
programming or services in the past 5 years? This could
include funding from VOCA, OVC, OVW, a STOP or SASP grant,
or some other funding coming from a federal agency.

SECTION K
Current Issues of Concern to
Victim Service Providers
K1

Yes
No

SECTION J
Record Keeping
J1

J2

Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all
K2

Does your organization use an electronic records system to
maintain case files?
 es
Y
No

How concerned are you about the amount of victim
service funding that your organization received in the
past year?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

Skip to Section K

Does your electronic records system track individual
cases?

How concerned are you about your organization’s ability
to retain staff?

K3

 es
Y
No

How concerned are you about the predictability of future
funding for your program?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

K4

How concerned are you about the burden of grant
reporting?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

K5

How concerned are you about your organization’s ability
to access technology?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

Thank you for your participation.

Mailing Instructions
Please place the completed questionnaire into the postage-paid return envelope. If the
envelope has been misplaced, please mail the questionnaire to:
National Survey of Victim Service Providers
NORC at the University of Chicago
1 North State Street - 16th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
If you have any questions, please call NORC toll free at 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX
or email XXXX@norc.org.
9

National Survey of Victim Service Providers
A study by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics to better understand the range of
services available for and provided to different types of crime victims.

Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of
information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated
to average 30 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining
the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other
aspects of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810
Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC 20531. The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3732),
authorizes this information collection. This request for information is in accordance with the clearance requirement of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1980, as amended (44 U.S.C. 3507). Although this survey is voluntary, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation
to make the results comprehensive, accurate, and timely.

OMB Number: 1121-0339
Approval expires 01/31/2016

National Survey of Victim Service Providers
Survey Instructions
Please mark your response with an “X” using blue or black ink, as in the examples below.
Example:

Example:
Right Way

Other, specify:

Wrong Way

Survey Purpose and Sponsors

General Instructions

The National Survey of Victim Service Providers (NSVSP) is designed
to fill existing gaps in knowledge and information on the variety of
organizations that provide services to victims of crime, the types of
victims served and services provided, and staffing and resources
available for the provision of services.

Your organization is receiving this survey because it has been
identified as providing at least some services or assistance to victims
of crime. The survey should be completed by the person(s) in your
organization with knowledge of and access to information on the
provision of these services. To help you prepare to take the survey, we
will be asking for information about the number and types of services
your organization provided to victims in the past year, the types
of crimes for which victims sought your services in the past year,
the number of staff providing victim services at your organization,
and your victim services budget. The survey should take about 30
minutes to complete. Please respond to all items.

The first goal of the NSVSP is to develop a clearer picture of the victim
services field. While there are many directories in place, and many lists
of organizations serving specific types of victims, they are not all inclusive
and many are not routinely updated. This survey will provide a picture of
the broad range of victim service providers across the country, including
how they are structured, the types of services they offer, and the types of
crime victims they serve. Your organization has been randomly selected
to participate in a small pilot test of the larger NSVSP data collection
effort.

Confidentiality Assurances
The information you provide will be used to generate aggregate
statistics on the provision of victim services. Your organization will
not be identified in any statistical reports produced by the Bureau of
Justice Statistics.

Information obtained from this initial pilot test will inform efforts to conduct
a census of the over 21,000 service providers in our current database.
Ultimately, through the census and additional survey efforts the NSVSP
aims to provide comprehensive, empirical data useful for funding and
planning purposes. An additional goal is to standardize measures of
victim services, enabling service providers to compare themselves with
other providers serving similar types of victims.

Burden Statement
Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information
collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection
of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control
Number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering
and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing
the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate, or any other aspects of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director,
Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC
20531. The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968,
as amended (42 U.S.C. 3732), authorizes this information collection.
This request for information is in accordance with the clearance
requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as amended
(44 U.S.C. 3507). Although this survey is voluntary, we urgently need
and appreciate your cooperation to make the results comprehensive,
accurate, and timely.

This survey is sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Justice and funded by the federal Office for Victims of
Crime.

Important Definitions
1) CRIME - An act which if done by a competent adult or juvenile would
be a criminal offense
2) VICTIM - Any person who contacts your organization for services
or assistance that are related to concerns over past, on-going, or
potential future crimes and other abuse. This includes those who are
directly harmed or threated by such crimes, but also their…
a) Family or household members,
b) Legal representatives, or
c) Survivors (if deceased)
3) SERVICE ­- Efforts that (1) respond to the needs of crime victims; (2)
assist victims of crime to stabilize their lives after a victimization; (3)
assist victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice
system; or (4) provide victims of crime with measures of safety and
security.

2

S1

Before you begin, please complete the following pieces of
information for your program.

SECTION A
A1

Agency Name:

 he primary function of the organization is to provide
T
services or programming for victims of crime.
Skip to A2
Victim services or programming are one component of the
larger organization (e.g., a hospital, university, community
center, law enforcement agency or prosecutors’ office)
Proceed to A1a

Address:
Address:
City, State, ZIP:
Main business
phone number:
Director, Victim
Services:

 A1a. D
 oes your organization have a specific
program(s) or staff that are dedicated to
working with crime victims?
Yes
No

Email address:


S2

Did you provide services to victims of crime or abuse in
the past month?
Yes
No

Which of the following best describes how your
organization is structured to provide services to victims
of crime or abuse?

A2

Go to A1
 hank you! You do not need to complete the rest
T
of this survey. We will correct your listing. <End
of Survey>
Please see mailing instructions after page 8.

Which of the following best describes your
organization? Select one response.
a. Tribal government or
other tribal organization or
entity

 o to Section B
G
[Tribal], page 4

b. Campus organization or other
educational institution (public
or private)

 o to Section C
G
[Campus], page 4

c. Hospital, medical, or
emergency facility (public or
private)

 o to Section G
G
[Services for
Victims],
page 5

d. Government agency

 o to Section D
G
[Government],
page 4

e. Nonprofit or faith-based entity
(501c3 status)

 o to Section E
G
[Nonprofit or faith
based], page 4

f. For profit entity

 o to Section F
G
[For profit],
page 5

g. Informal entity (e.g., some other

 o to Section G
G
[Services for
Victims],
page 5

type of program or group, not formally
a part of an agency, registered
nonprofit, or business; Independent
survivor advocacy and support
groups; volunteer, grassroots, or
survivor network)

3

SECTION B
Tribal Agencies and Organizations Only
B1

D2

Nationwide
Statewide
Regional/Multi-county/Multi-city
County wide only
City wide only
Specific neighborhood only
Other (please specify)

Which designation best describes your tribal agency or
organization? Select one response.
Law enforcement
Prosecutor
Court
Juvenile justice
Offender custody and supervision
Advocacy program
Other justice-based agency (please specify)

Go to section G [SERVICES FOR
All responses
VICTIMS], page 5

Other agency that is NOT justice-based (e.g., human
services, health, education, etc.) (please specify)

SECTION E
Non-Profit or Faith-Based
Organizations Only

Coalition
All responses
page 5

Go to section G [SERVICES FOR VICTIMS],
E1

Which designation best describes your campus
organization? Select one response.
Law enforcement/campus security
Campus disciplinary body or student conduct body
Physical or mental health service program
Victim services or advocacy group
Other campus-based program (please specify)

E2

Go to section G [SERVICES FOR VICTIMS],

SECTION D
Government Agencies Only
D1

In what service area/jurisdiction does your non-profit
organization operate? Select one response.
Nationwide
Statewide
Regional/Multi-county/Multi-city
County wide only
City wide only
Specific neighborhood only
Other (please specify)

All responses
page 5

Which designation best describes your non-profit
organization? Select one response.
Coalition (e.g., State Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault
Coalition)
A single entity (may or may not have multiple physical
locations)
Other (please specify)

SECTION C
Campus Organizations Only
C1

In what service area/jurisdiction does your agency
operate in terms of victims served or services delivered?
Select one response.

All responses
Go to section G [SERVICES FOR
VICTIMS], page 5

Which designation best describes your government
agency? Select one response.
Law enforcement
Prosecutor
Courts
Juvenile justice
Offender custody and supervision
Multi-agency (e.g., task forces, response teams, etc.)
Other government agency (please specify)

4

SECTION F
For-Profit Organizations Only
F1

The following questions concern services you provided to
victims of crime or abuse during past calendar/fiscal year.
For the remaining questions, please think about staff
members and other resources within your organization
who regularly work with victims of crime and abuse and
about the victims who received services during the past
calendar/fiscal year. From here on out, if we ask about
your organization, we mean just those staff members and
resources.

What designation best describes your for-profit
organization? Select one response.
Private legal office/law firm
Private counseling service or other mental health care
provider
Funeral home
Other commercial or professional entity (please specify)

Did you provide any of the following services to
victims within the past calendar/fiscal year?
We recognize that victim service organizations provide a
wide array of services to victims. For the purposes of this
survey, we are asking about general categories of services
you provided to victims, which may not capture your victim
service offerings in detail. Do your best to place the
services you provided within the general categories below.

All responses
Go to section G [SERVICES FOR
VICTIMS], page 5

SECTION G
Services for Victims
G1

Does your organization operate/report data on a calendar
year or fiscal year?

Does your organization provide (…)

G2

/

/
DD

No

Yes

No

b. Service or victimization information
and referrals? (e.g., information about
crime and victimization; medical referrals;
legal referrals; financial counseling
referrals; other referrals; etc.)

G1.1. What is the date of the beginning of the fiscal year at
your organization?

MM

Yes

a. Justice related information and
referrals? (e.g., information about the
justice system and the victim’s role;
notification of events and proceedings;
justice referrals; etc.)

Calendar year
skip to G2
Fiscal year
proceed to G1.1
Both
proceed to G1.1

Information and referral services

YY

For the remainder of the questionnaire, unless indicated
otherwise, provide your answers based on the past fiscal
year or the past calendar year depending on how your
organization operates as answered in Question G1.

G3

Financial and material assistance services
Does your organization provide (…)
a. Monetary assistance? (e.g., providing
funds or offering assistance in seeking
victim compensation; public benefits
assistance; other emergency funds
assistance; etc.)
b. Material assistance? (e.g., emergency
or transitional shelter; food; clothing;
utility assistance; employment
assistance; etc.)

5

Emotional support and safety
Does your organization provide (…)

G4

G8

Yes

No

a. Mental health services? (e.g.,
individual; group counseling support
groups; other therapy; social
programming for children; etc.)

Yes
No
G9

b. Crisis Counseling
c. Safety services? (Safety planning;
witness protection; address
confidentiality; self-defense; etc.)
(Does NOT include protective orders)

G10

Yes

No

a. Emergency medical care or
accompaniment?

c. STD/HIV testing?
Legal and victims’ rights assistance
Does your organization provide (…)

G6

Yes

No

Yes

No

a. Criminal/juvenile/military/tribal
justice related assistance?
(e.g., representation; advocacy;
accompaniment; assistance in exercising
victims’ rights; etc.)
b. Civil justice related assistance? (e.g.,
protective or restraining order; assistance
with family law matters; assistance with
landlord/tenant matters; etc.)
c. Immigration assistance? (e.g.,
assistance seeking special visas;
continued presence applications; other
immigration relief; etc.)

G7

Other services
Does your organization provide (…)

How many calls did you receive from victims/survivors in
the past calendar/fiscal year? Estimates are acceptable.

Excluding hotline/helpline or crisis line calls, how
many unique victims received direct services from
your organization/program during the past calendar/
fiscal year? Estimates are acceptable. (Exclude services
provided through a hotline/helpline or crisis line and victims
who only received information through the mail)
Check box if estimate

b. Medical forensic exam or
accompaniment?

proceed to H9
skip to H10

Check box if estimate

Medical and health assistance
Does your organization provide (…)

G5

Did your organization operate a hotline/helpline or crisis
line at any time during the past calendar/fiscal year?

a. Case management?
b. Supervised child visitation?
c. On-scene coordinated response?
d. Education classes for survivors
regarding victimization dynamics?
e. Culturally and ethnically specific
services?
f. Specialized services for specific
settings? (e.g., military; school; college/
university; etc.)

6

G11

SECTION H
Staffing

During the past calendar/fiscal year did victims of
the following crime types seek services from your
organization?
Crime type for which victims sought services
Yes

The following questions concern staff dedicated to
working with victims of crime during past calendar/fiscal
year. Provide your answer based on the past fiscal
year or the past calendar year depending on how your
organization operates as answered in Question G1.

No

a. Adults molested as children
b. Child sexual abuse/sexual assault
c. Rape/sexual assault (other than sexual
victimizations against children)
d. Stalking

H1

e. Child witness of violence
f. Child physical abuse or neglect
g. Elder physical abuse
h. Domestic violence/dating violence

Current Staff

Thinking about your organization’s paid staff
responsible for working with victims, how many paid
staff currently work at your organization as fulltime (35 hours or more/week)? Count each person
only once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that type.
Include contractual workers in your counts. Estimates are
acceptable.

i. Assault (Other than domestic/dating
violence or child/elder abuse)
j. Robbery

Check box if estimate
H2

k. Human trafficking (Labor)
l. Human trafficking: (Sex)
m. Survivors of homicide victims
n. Victim witness intimidation

Thinking about your organization’s paid staff
responsible for working with victims, how many paid
staff currently work at your organization as parttime (less than 35 hours/week)? Count each person
only once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that type.
Include contractual workers in your counts. Estimates are
acceptable.

o. DUI/DWI crashes

Check box if estimate

p. Identity theft
q. Financial fraud and exploitation (Other
than identity theft)

H3

r. Motor vehicle theft

 es
Y
No

s. Burglary
t. Other property crimes

Staff at the beginning of the most recent
fiscal year

u. Other violent crimes
v. Other (specify)

Does your organization use volunteers to provide direct
services to victims?

H4

Thinking about your organization’s paid staff
responsible for working with victims, how many paid
full-time staff worked at your organization at the
beginning of the past calendar/fiscal year? Count each
person only once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that
type. Include contractual workers in your counts. Estimates
are acceptable.
Check box if estimate

H5

Thinking about your organization’s paid staff
responsible for working with victims, how many paid
part-time staff worked at your organization at the
beginning of the past calendar/fiscal year? Count each
person only once. Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that
type. Include contractual workers in your counts. Estimates
are acceptable.
Check box if estimate

7

New staff since the beginning of the most recent fiscal
year
H6

I2

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s) or
staff responsible for working with victims, how many paid
full-time staff dedicated to working with victims did you hire
in the past calendar/fiscal year, whether to fill new positions
or to fill vacancies? Count each person only once. Enter ‘0’ if

there are no paid staff of that type. Include contractual workers
in your counts. Estimates are acceptable.

 heck box if information on amount of funding by source
C
is not available
a. Victims of Crime Act
$
Assistance Grant (VOCA)

Check box if estimate
H7

b. Other Office on Victims of
Crime (OVC)

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s) or
staff responsible for working with victims, how many paid
part-time staff dedicated to working with victims did you
hire in the past calendar/fiscal year, whether to fill new
positions or to fill vacancies? Count each person only once.
Enter ‘0’ if there are no paid staff of that type. Include contractual
workers in your counts. Estimates are acceptable.

c. Services, Training, Officers,
and Prosecutors (STOP)
d. Sexual Assault Services
Program (SASP)

Check box if estimate

e. Other Office on Violence
against Women (OVW)

SECTION I
Funding
I1

How much funding allocated for providing services to
victims did your organization receive from each of the
following sources during the past calendar/fiscal year?
Estimates are acceptable. Enter ‘0’ if you did not receive
funding from the source. The total amount across all sources
should equal the amount provided in item I1.

f. Family Violence Prevention
Services Act (FVPSA)
g. Other federal funding,
please specify

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s) or
staff responsible for working with crime victims, how much
total funding did your organization receive for victim-related
programming and services (including direct services,
prevention, outreach, training, and education efforts) during
the past calendar/fiscal year? Please include direct services,
prevention, outreach, training and education efforts. Estimates
are acceptable.

Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

h. State government funding
(NOT state disbursement of
federal grant)
i. Local government funding

Check box if estimate

j. Tribal government funding

k. Source of funds unknown

l. Other funding sources (e.g.,
foundations, corporate funding,
individual donations, insurance
reimbursements, etc.)

8

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

$
Check box if estimate

I3

Thinking about your organization’s specific program(s)
or staff dedicated to working with crime victims, did
your organization receive any federal funding for victim
programming or services in the past 5 years? This could
include funding from VOCA, OVC, OVW, a STOP or SASP grant,
or some other funding coming from a federal agency.

SECTION K
Current Issues of Concern to
Victim Service Providers
K1

Yes
No

SECTION J
Record Keeping
J1

J2

Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all
K2

Does your organization use an electronic records system to
maintain case files?
 es
Y
No

How concerned are you about the amount of victim
service funding that your organization received in the
past year?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

Skip to Section K

Does your electronic records system track individual
cases?

How concerned are you about your organization’s ability
to retain staff?

K3

 es
Y
No

How concerned are you about the predictability of future
funding for your program?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

K4

How concerned are you about the burden of grant
reporting?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

K5

How concerned are you about your organization’s ability
to access technology?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
A little concerned
Not concerned at all

Thank you for your participation.

Mailing Instructions
Please place the completed questionnaire into the postage-paid return envelope. If the
envelope has been misplaced, please mail the questionnaire to:
National Survey of Victim Service Providers
NORC at the University of Chicago
1 North State Street - 16th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
If you have any questions, please call NORC toll free at 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX
or email XXXX@norc.org.
9

Attachment 6. Cognitive Testing Report

COGNITIVE TESTING REPORT

To conduct an initial test the National Survey of Victim Service Provider (NSVSP) instruments, we 
administered two rounds of cognitive interviews with a sample of Victim Service Providers (VSPs). 
Because VSPs encompass a wide array of organization types, we made an effort to recruit various 
providers within each of the three broad category types ‐‐ primary providers (e.g., domestic violence 
shelters,  rape crisis centers,  homicide survivor groups, etc.), secondary providers (e.g., prosecutor‐
based providers,  hospital‐based providers,  campus providers, etc.), and tertiary providers (e.g., 
homeless shelters that provide services to victims but do not have specific programs or staff dedicated 
to working with crime victims).  Table 1 provides a summary of the number of VSPs within each VSP 
category that participated in the cognitive interviews. 
Table 1: Number of Cognitive Interview VSP’s by Category 
Cognitive 
Primary VSP 
Secondary VSP 
Interview 
Round One 
3 
5 
Round Two 
4 
3 
Total 
7 
8 

Tertiary VSP 

Total 

1 
0 
1 

8 
7 
15 

Most participants’ cognitive interview feedback resulted in minor edits to question wording or tweaks to 
particular response items.  However, some cognitive interview feedback resulted in more substantial 
edits to particular questions and the addition of a few new items.  During the first round of cognitive 
testing, many cognitive interview participants reported taking an hour or more to complete the survey 
in its entirety. Therefore, we also made edits to the instrument following the first round of cognitive 
testing in an effort to shorten sections while preserving as much meaningful data as possible 
(participants during the subsequent round of cognitive testing were able to complete the edited 
instrument in 30 minutes or less).  Below, we summarize major substantive changes to existing 
questions and describe new items that were added to the instrument based upon both rounds of 
cognitive testing. 
Edits to existing items 
Section G: Services for Victims 
Because the first round of the cognitive testing revealed most participants were taking an hour or more 
to complete the instrument, we edited the services provided question to create a shorter list response 
options. The condensed services list still encompasses the bulk of services provided but is easier for 
providers to complete.  

In addition, some respondents reported confusion when responding to the questions asking about the 
types of crime victims receiving services.  Respondents were unsure whether to report all crime types 
experienced by victims or only report the presenting crimes types for which victims initially sought 
services. While both pieces of information are potentially of importance, one of the main purposes of 
the full survey is to obtain a better picture of the victim services field.  While there are many variations 

Attachment 6. Cognitive Testing Report

in VSPs, a principle distinguishing feature is their victimization focus.  To be able to compare answers by 
groups of providers with differing victim‐focuses, we edited the victim type question to ask about crime 
types for which victims sought services.  

Section H: Staffing  
Respondents reported a significant amount of burden and confusion when asked to classify staff according 
to position type. Since we primarily plan to use staffing levels to classify organizations by size, we edited 
questions  under  Section  H  to  solely  ask  about  the  total  number  of  full‐time  and  part‐time  paid  staff, 
dropping counts of volunteers and breakouts by position type.  
Section I: Funding 

Cognitive interview results indicated that funding questions asking about a provider’s total budget for 
direct services to crime victims was difficult for respondents to answer, even for providers whose sole 
purpose is centered around victimization. Activities for which providers are funded may also include 
prevention, outreach, public education, policy advocacy, and networking. Therefore, we edited funding 
questions to ask more broadly about victim‐related programming, including direct services, prevention, 
outreach and education efforts.  
Section J: Record Keeping 
Some respondents reported confusion when answering questions about the type of electronic 
management systems they use to track individual cases.  To reduce confusion, we edited the question to 
simply ask respondents whether their organization uses an electronic management system to maintain 
case files. If respondents answer affirmatively, they are then asked whether the system tracks all 
individual cases.  
Additional items 
Section G: Services for Victims 
Cognitive interview participants reported some difficulty answering questions according to the 
reference period of the prior 12 months, as different organization operate on different schedules. To 
avoid potentially high levels of missing item responses due confusion/difficulty with the time period 
requirement, we added a question to the instrument at the beginning of Section G that asks, “Does your 
organization operate/report data on a calendar year or fiscal year?” If the respondent reports, “fiscal 
year” a follow up question then asks the date of the beginning of the fiscal year. All subsequent 
questions then ask about the most recent calendar/fiscal year, depending on which option the 
respondent selected.  

Section H: Staffing  
To reduce respondent burden, we no longer ask for counts of volunteers in the staffing question.  To still 
be able to provide some information about providers’ use of volunteers, we add a separate question to 
Section H that simply asks whether the organization uses volunteers to provide services to victims. 

Attachment 6. Cognitive Testing Report

Section K: Current Issues of Concern to Victim Service Providers 

To provide VSPs the opportunity to report on areas of concern, we added Section K which includes a 
series of questions asking respondents to indicate their organization’s level of concern about issues 
relevant to the operation of victim service programming. Respondents are asked to rate their level of 
concern about their organization’s ability to retain staff, the amount of victim services funding their 
organization received in the past year, the predictability of future funding, the burden of grant 
reporting, and their organization’s ability to access technology.   

</pre><Table class="table"><tr><Td>File Type</td><td>application/pdf</td></tr><tr><Td>Author</td><td>Stroopj</td></tr><tr><Td>File Modified</td><td>2015-06-18</td></tr><tr><Td>File Created</td><td>2015-06-17</td></tr></table></div></div></div><hr>
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