WTC Records Folder 0128 Disaster Information General label, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Responding to Terrorism Victims - Oklahoma City and Beyond Page 2 of 3

particularly in crimes that occur outside the United States.

■ The difficulty in finding victim services and mental health professionals with experience and expertise in dealing with the issues and needs related to terrorism victimization.

Like other victims of violent crime, victims of terrorism need help in handling the crisis created by the terrorist event, in stabilizing their lives, and in dealing with the criminal justice process, whether there are an arrest and a trial or an arrest and a trial are delayed for years. Because each victim's coping abilities and support systems are different and his or her loss is individual, the needs of individual victims may vary. A process should be in place to help victims assess their specific needs and find appropriate sources of help and support. Most victims will be able to function and stabilize after a period of time with moderate assistance, but a percentage of victims will continue to need assistance for years after the event.

Many people were involved in identifying the lessons learned in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing: the U.S. Attorneys' Offices for the Western District of Oklahoma and the District of Colorado, Project Heartland, Colorado Oklahoma Resource Council, Critical Incident Workshop Group, Inc., and the Oklahoma State Crime Victim Compensation Program. The experiences and lessons learned from the Oklahoma City bombing were echoed in the responses to the terrorism cases that have occurred since 1995. The lessons learned along the way were taught by victims, victim advocates, criminal justice professionals, mental health professionals, clergy, the media, and outside observers and include the following:

1. An effective response to victims of terrorism is dependent upon prior planning and coordination. Understanding the needs of victims, clarifying the roles of responders, and building trust among responding agencies are essential to developing and implementing workable and effective interventions with victims.

2. The victim population must be broadly defined to include not only the primary victims and their families, but also first responders and rescue workers, law enforcement, clergy, victim assistance personnel, and others who are exposed to traumatized victims.

3. Identifying, setting aside, and effectively managing resources are key to providing a comprehensive response. Encouraging cooperative efforts between the public and private sector can maximize resources, leverage expertise, and build a stronger sense of community support.

4. State and federal laws mandate that certain rights and services be afforded to victims. Agencies and individuals charged with responding to terrorism must be familiar with what the law requires.

5. Victims of terrorism are considered victims of a federal crime, but there may be many different agencies at different levels of government involved in the response. Coordination among federal, state, and local agencies is critical to

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/infores/respterrorisn/cbap8.htuW 9/29/01

NYC-WTC 000137330