Responding to Terrorism Victims: Oklahoma City and Beyond.

This report identifies the special measures needed to protect the rights and meet the needs of victims of a large-scale terrorist attack involving mass casualties. In particular, it demonstrates efforts required to ensure an effective response to victims' rights and their short- and long-term emotional and psychological needs as an integral part of a comprehensive response to terrorism cases involving mass casualties. The report is based upon the experiences of the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) in working with victims and providing resources for assistance. The report begins with background information addressing the victims' needs that emerged during the immediate crisis of the Oklahoma City bombing, the postcrisis victim needs after the immediate crisis was dealt with, victims' needs during the criminal justice process, and the long-term victim needs that developed over time. These sections are followed by a discussion of the laws that require victims' rights and services to be part of any crisis response plan. The final sections identify the lessons learned as a result of the Oklahoma City bombing and the other terrorism events that followed it and present policy recommendations that promote future preparedness. (Contains 17 references.) (GCP)