Responding to Terrorism Victims: Oklahoma City and Beyond

• NCJ Number: 183949
• Author(s): Janet Dinsmore
• Date Published: December 2000
• Length: 62 pages
• Agencies: OVC
• Publication Type: Issue Overview

Annotation

This report identifies special measures needed to protect the rights and meet the needs of victims of a large-scale terrorist attack involving mass casualties.

Abstract

Federal agencies are called on to handle the immediate crisis, meet post crisis victim needs, provide victims' rights and services during any criminal justice process, and recognize and provide for long-term victim needs as they emerge over time. The primary sources for information and recommendations in this report were interviews and meetings with victims and staff of five Oklahoma organizations supported by grants from the Office for Victims of Crime Emergency Fund. The report is divided into 10 sections: (1) Bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building; (2) The Immediate Crisis Response; (3) Postcrisis Victim Assistance; (4) The Criminal Pretrial and Trial Phases; (5) Long-term Victim Needs; (6) Legal Issues Pertaining to Victims of Terrorism; (7) Recent International Terrorism Cases; (8) Lessons Learned; (9) Policy Recommendations; and (10) Conclusion. Notes, bibliography, references, resources