Building The Reputation Of The Crime Victims' Institute, Especially Within University Administration
To increase the visibility and reputation of the Crime Victims' Institute and increase awareness of the Institute's mission.
Objective
Raise Awareness Of CVI Research Activities
CVI research activities will be featured and distributed through various types of reports.
KPI
Publish CVI Newsletter Highlighting Research Activities And Issues
The CVI newsletter containing information regarding current and upcoming activities and research will be published and distributed quarterly.
Result
CVI Newsletter
4 issues of the newsletter were published, distributed by mail, and made available on the CVI website.
KPI
Disseminate CVI Research In Reports
The Crime Victims' Institute will publish and disseminate to appropriate audiences at least 4 research reports summarizing current research projects, addressing issues of victimization, and/or highlighting research relevant to victim service professionals.
Result
CVI Research Reports
CVI published and disseminated 8 research reports during 2014-15.
CVI initiated a report series on human trafficking, which included 4 issues.
CVI initiated a report series on stalking, which included 2 issues.
Two research briefs were published, including a survey of state family violence shelters and a report about bullying and fear of victimization.
Action
Continued Efforts To Raise Awareness
The debut of the human trafficking series was successful and produced a number of useful research reports. The newsletter also highlighted CVI research. In the next cycle, the newsletter will continue to highlight issues and research relevant to victim services. Additionally, CVI will consider creating a new report series addressing campus violence.
Objective
Promote Victim Studies/services Related Activities Within University Community
Activities will be performed to promote victim studies/services within the university.
KPI
Organizing And/or Sponsoring Victim Studies/services Related Activities
The Crime Victims' Institute will participate, sponsor, and/or organize at least two victim studies/services activities per year.
Result
Campus Event Sponsorships
CVI co-sponsored events during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (Oct. 2014), including the Clothesline Project. Additionally, CVI co-sponsored events during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April 2015), including a documentary screening, Ignite the Night, and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.
Action
Sponsoring Victim Service/Studies Related Activities
2014-15 was a very active year in terms of outreach, and CVI maintained an important presence at various events across campus that support Victim Studies students and issues. CVI will continue its support of events, particularly Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. With the loss of a staff person, maintaining such an extensive level of outreach is not feasible during the next cycle. The Voices lecture series was successful and garnered interest among victim studies students but should not occur as frequently. CVI will continue the Voices lecture series in 2015-16, planning one lecture in the fall to coincide with DVAM and two in the spring semester.
Objective
Demonstrate Professional Knowledge Of Victim Services Delivery
The Crime Victims' Institute will take part in training in order to promote a better understanding and knowledge of the victim service delivery process.
KPI
Completion Of Training Relevant To Victimology And/or Victim Services
New CVI Staff and CVI funded students will complete the online Texas Victim Assistance Training within their first six months of employment.
Result
Staff Training
CVI employed no new staff during 2014-15.
Action
Professional Training
CVI will continue to require basic training for any new employees. Additionally, graduate students funded by CVI will be asked to participate in webinars related to victimization and victim services.
Goal
Excellence In Research
The Crime Victims' Institute will achieve excellence in research by providing the most up to date research and analysis of current and emerging victim issues.
Objective
Receive External Funding For CVI Research
The Institute will explore and apply for external funding through relevant grants.
KPI
Grant Applications
The Crime Victims' Institute will investigate relevant grant opportunities for submission and will submit at least two grant applications.
Result
Grant Applications
CVI staff contributed to three grant applications; one nonprofit supported grant, one at the state level, and one as a research partner on a federal grant.
The federal grant application was awarded and work is in progress.
Action
Grant Applications
Two staff members who were involved in grant development are no longer with CVI. CVI will continue to explore grant opportunities at various levels and will submit applications when the fit is appropriate to the Institute's mission. Alternatively, CVI may consider ways to support affiliated faculty in applying for victimization related grants.
Objective
Produce Peer-Reviewed Research Products
The Crime Victims' Institute will submit publications aligned with Institute research to peer-reviewed journals.
KPI
Peer-reviewed Publications
The Crime Victims' Institue will submit research publications to peer-reviewed journals.
Result
Peer-Reviewed Manuscript Submissions
CVI projects produced 2 peer-reviewed journal submissions.
"Low self-control, risk, and dating victimization in traditional versus online dating." Submitted to journal Feb. 2015. Derived from CVI data collection efforts.
"Rape myth adherence among campus law enforcement officers." Submitted to journal Oct. 2014. Derived from CVI project on campus sexual assault.
Action
Peer-Reviewed Journal Submissions
Tracking manuscript submissions related to projects funded wholly or in part through CVI is difficult when authors are not directly connected to CVI (e.g., when authored by affiliated faculty). CVI will work toward implementing a better tracking system or protocol to identify these works. CVI will also continue to advocate that all projects result in at least one peer-reviewed manuscript.
Goal
Connection With Academic Programs
The Crime Victims' Institute will achieve a connection with academic programs through various methods that will involve career development and/or research opportunities for graduate students.
Objective
Support Graduate Students Involved In CVI Research Projects
The Institute will encourage and support graduate students by involving them in research projects.
KPI
Graduate Student Summer Research Fellowship
The CVI summer research program will fund at least one graduate student to conduct research on a topic related to victimization.
Result
Summer 2015 Graduate Student Fellowship
Due to limited budget, CVI was able to fund only one graduate student summer fellowship during 2014-15. Sara Simmons received funding to examine characteristics of romantic relationships and offending. Her work will produce a peer-reviewed journal submission and be expanded to include victimization.
Action
Summer Research Fellowship
Pending available budget, CVI will attempt to fund at least two graduate students during summer 2016. Selection of students for fellowships will be determined by the quality of the research plan and fit with the Institute's mission.
Objective
Provide Career Development Opportunities For Students Interested In Victim Services
CVI will sponsor events to highlight career opportunities for students interested in victim studies/services.
KPI
Career Development Events
CVI will sponsor at least one event highlighting potential career opportunities for undergraduate and/or graduate students interested in victims studies/services.
Result
Voices Lecture Series
4 victim service professionals gave talks for Victim Studies students regarding job opportunities in victim services.
Action
Sponsoring Victim Service/Studies Related Activities
2014-15 was a very active year in terms of outreach, and CVI maintained an important presence at various events across campus that support Victim Studies students and issues. CVI will continue its support of events, particularly Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. With the loss of a staff person, maintaining such an extensive level of outreach is not feasible during the next cycle. The Voices lecture series was successful and garnered interest among victim studies students but should not occur as frequently. CVI will continue the Voices lecture series in 2015-16, planning one lecture in the fall to coincide with DVAM and two in the spring semester.