The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way community members are able to interact and has caused temporary and permanent closures of businesses and social institutions. For victim service providers (VSPs), who provide a range of service to victims of crime—from forensic interviews to mental health care and beyond—the need to adapt is critical. This project involves a rapid assessment of VSPs across North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand the challenges they faced in continuing their service delivery and the strategies they utilized to overcome those challenges to remain available and responsive to clients’ needs. Findings from this project will enhance community and policymaker understanding of the presenting needs of VSPs and provide tangible measures to support the necessary adaptation efforts of these agencies. Further, this study provides a framework for supporting victim service provision during other socially disruptive crises.
