19 March 2008
Victim Support launches inaugural research scholarship
Victim Support has launched New Zealand’s first scholarship to advance research into victims’ issues.
The Dave Smith Memorial Research Scholarship for Victims’ Rights and Services and Victimology offers up to $10,000 per
year to support research developing the knowledge of victims’ issues and services in New Zealand.
The scholarship is named after the late Dave Smith, a police chief inspector, Victim’s Task Force member and Victim
Support board member, who died in 2004. Chief Inspector Smith was a tireless researcher with a deep commitment to
achieving justice and better outcomes for victims.
“This is an exciting time for victims’ issues in New Zealand as the scholarship opens up the opportunity for our country
and our organisation to be at the forefront of new research in this area,” says Victim Support acting chief executive
Heather Verry.
“This is a tribute to Dave’s work and also marks Victim Support’s commitment to evidence-based practice,” says Mrs
Verry. “The research specific to victims in our country is limited and we rely on good research to guide our policies
and practices.”
Victim Support is currently working with university researchers studying suicide bereavement and the impact of sudden
death on families and Victim Support workers. “Quality studies like these help ensure that our services reflect the
needs of victims in New Zealand and are consistent with what research shows is important in the field of trauma and
victimology.”
The scholarship is open to postgraduate students, research institutes and organisations that work with victims.
Applications close 1 October and an application form is available from www.victimsupport.org.nz
ENDS