Victim services in Maryland and throughout the country have historically focused on the immediate needs of crime victims including their physical, emotional and financial needs. But until recently, we have neglected the spiritual needs of crime victims. It is natural and may be even healthy for a person who has suffered trauma as a result of crime to respond by questioning their faith traditions.

In a study conducted by the Greenberg Quinlan Research Group (2000), a random sample of 1000 people responded as follows: 83% believed their spiritual faith and religious beliefs were closely related to their state of mental and emotional health, and more preferred to speak with a pastor or person with religious training over a professional mental health counselor. Futhermore, in another study, among African-American respondents, 97% said emotional and mental health was closely tied to spirituality. [Woodruff, C. Roy, “New National Survey Affirms Desire for Pastoral Counseling,” Currents, 39,2 (Spring 2001); 21,2.] Because of the often life altering experience suffered by crime victims, it is important to address all of their needs including those of a spiritual nature.

In 2002 The Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center received a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime to manage a national faith and victim services grant. Using this project as a launching pad, the Center applied to Prince George’s County for a Community Development Block Grant. Among other things this proposal established the need for a county wide initiative to bring together faith leaders and victim services professionals to collaborate in an effort to better serve crime victims. The staff is currently developing a needs assessment with partners throughout Prince George’s County in an effort to focus a program that will address the identified needs in the community.