The following is an outline of the policy analysis process. It also is an outline of how to structure and organize your paper. You need to collect information necessary to answer the questions below. You will adapt the information collected into essay form. You may deviate from the outline if it makes sense for your narrative as long as you cover the material necessary to thoroughly analysis the policy.

Step 1: Explain the problem.

We know that victimization is a problem so you don’t need to explain why it is bad to abuse children or defraud the public. Instead, tell me about the nature of the problem:

a. basics of the victimization – who is the victim, the offender, the nature of the harm

b. the extent or scope of the problem – how many victims; consequences of the victimization for victim, government, society (costs in money, sense of insecurity, etc.)

c. what happens if we don’t solve this problem?

Step 2: Identify existing policy/policies.

a. who inside and outside government is involved in this policy?

b. what policies exist that address this problem?

c. who supports and opposes the existing policy?

c. how well does the existing policy work?

Step 3: Identify Policy Alternatives.

a. Identify 3 policy options (alternative approaches) to dealing with this problem (with the existing policy and the 3 alternatives you will have 4 policy options)

b. explain each policy option

1. what assumptions does it make about the problem

2. what are the basic provisions of the policy option

3. what are the costs/benefits of the policy option

4. who is for and who is against this policy option and why – be specific about groups, individuals, governments involved considering this policy option

5. what are the strengths and weaknesses of this approach

6. what tradeoffs have to be made with this policy option

Step 4: Evaluate Policy Options

a. compare the 4 options

b. identify the policy you think is best for solving the problem and explain why you chose this option

c. how feasible is it for government officials to adopt this policy? explain

Step 5: Develop an Advocacy Strategy

a. how could you convince government officials that this policy is the best policy and that the costs exceed the benefits?

b. what would you do to make it feasible politically for government to adopt this policy?