Event Title
Gaining a Victim-Centered Approach to Policing
Description
PURPOSE: Practical work experience is invaluable when obtaining a degree in a community and public service field such as criminal justice. My work with the Grand Rapids Police Department’s Victim Services Unit has helped me understand the social work facet of criminal justice, which I feel is difficult to be taught within a classroom. CHALLENGE: The most challenging aspect of my internship experience was getting pushed out of my comfort zone and interacting with people in a completely new way, with the focus being on victims’ feelings and well-being rather than fact-finding. EXPERIENCE: This internship forced me to shift my focus from the offender to the victim and learn to connect with clients to gauge their well-being rather than taking an investigative role and asking who/what/where/when/why questions. OUTCOME: As a student with aspirations to go into law enforcement, this experience taught me how to look at the entire picture within the realm of crime and law enforcement, giving me the ability to recognize victims’ traumatic experiences and the ways in which I can respond to address their needs and minimize secondary victimization. IMPACT: Working within the Victim Services Unit gave me the unique experience of working directly with victims following traumatic events. I gained knowledge on trauma responses and saw firsthand the range of reactions victims may exhibit after being impacted by crime. I believe this has helped me develop a greater sense of empathy and understanding of victims’ needs that will benefit me immensely in a career in law enforcement.
Gaining a Victim-Centered Approach to Policing
PURPOSE: Practical work experience is invaluable when obtaining a degree in a community and public service field such as criminal justice. My work with the Grand Rapids Police Department’s Victim Services Unit has helped me understand the social work facet of criminal justice, which I feel is difficult to be taught within a classroom. CHALLENGE: The most challenging aspect of my internship experience was getting pushed out of my comfort zone and interacting with people in a completely new way, with the focus being on victims’ feelings and well-being rather than fact-finding. EXPERIENCE: This internship forced me to shift my focus from the offender to the victim and learn to connect with clients to gauge their well-being rather than taking an investigative role and asking who/what/where/when/why questions. OUTCOME: As a student with aspirations to go into law enforcement, this experience taught me how to look at the entire picture within the realm of crime and law enforcement, giving me the ability to recognize victims’ traumatic experiences and the ways in which I can respond to address their needs and minimize secondary victimization. IMPACT: Working within the Victim Services Unit gave me the unique experience of working directly with victims following traumatic events. I gained knowledge on trauma responses and saw firsthand the range of reactions victims may exhibit after being impacted by crime. I believe this has helped me develop a greater sense of empathy and understanding of victims’ needs that will benefit me immensely in a career in law enforcement.