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VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. Mission Statement.

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VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

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  1. VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

  2. Mission Statement “ The Victims’ Assistance Program goal is to improve the quality of life of violent crime victims and their families by providing them with case status information and direct services to enhance their participation in the criminal justice system”

  3. Philosophy • To provide service to all victims of violent crimes by advocating for them. • To ensure that every individual who goes through this program receives quality services during their criminal justice preceding.

  4. Services a diverse population That encompasses: Males Females Adults Children

  5. Target Population

  6. Services Provided • Educating Victims about the criminal justice process and their role in the criminal justice process. • Informing victims of case status and court dates. • Assisting victims prepare written and oral victim impact statements. • Trial preparation and court accompaniment. • Assistance in filing out Crime Victims’ Compensation forms. • Emergency financial assistance for funeral/burial expenses in homicide cases. • Process and file protective orders for victims of family violence and sexual assault. • Assistance in writing parole protest letters. • Referrals to community social services.

  7. Budget The Crime Victims Program is funded through grants, DA and County funds. Theses grants are obtained by Victim Coordinator Rosie Mendoza and County Program & Development Management Department in hopes of receiving funding to continue helping victims of violent crime.

  8. HOW? Victim Packets • Information and referrals sent to victim • Victim’s Right Brochure • Victim Impact Statement • Restitution form • Crime Victims’ Compensation • Texas Vine • Phone calls & Walk Ins

  9. Crime Victim’s Compensation

  10. What is it? • A financial assistance program that helps eligible victims of crime with certain expenses related to the crime. • Money for this program comes from court cost paid by criminals and deposited by each Texas county into The Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund.

  11. The Crime Victims’ Compensation Program is administered by The Attorney General • “The payer of last resort” • Health Insurance • Medicaid • Medicare

  12. To Be Eligible • To be a United States Resident with the crime occurring in Texas or a Texas resident who becomes a victim in a state or country without a compensation program; United States citizenship not required. • Report the crime to a law enforcement agency with a reasonable period of time, but not so late to interfere with or hamper the investigation and prosecution of the crime. • File the application within three years of the date of crime.

  13. Who May Qualify? • Immediate family or household members related by blood or marriage who require counseling as a result of the crime. • A peace officer, fire fighter or individual who has a duty to protect the public and who is injured in a crime • Intervenor who goes to the aid of a victim or peace officer • An innocent victim of crime who suffers substantial threat of physical and/or emotional harm or death. • Dependant victim • Authorized individual acting on behalf of a victim. • A Person who legally assumes the obligations or voluntarily pays certain expenses related to the crime on behalf of the victim

  14. Who is not eligible? • Benefits may be reduced or denied if the victim: • Participated in the crime • Engaged in illegal activity • Contributed to the crime • Was an inmate at the timeof the crime • Knowingly or intentional submitted a false or forged information to the CVCprogram • Did not cooperate with the appropriate lawenforcement agencies.

  15. What crimes are covered? • The victims suffers substantial threat of physical or emotional harm or death. • May include: • Sexual assault • Kidnapping • Robbery • Assault • Manslaughter

  16. What vehicular crimes are covered? • Failure to stop and render aid • DWI • Manslaughter • Criminally negligent homicide • Aggravated assault • Intoxication manslaughter • Intoxication assault

  17. What type of financial assistance is available? • Claims may be approved for benefits up to a total of $50,000. Catastrophic injuries resulting in total and permanent disability victims may be eligible for an additional $75,000 in benefits.

  18. Benefits may be awarded for the following: • Medical, hospital, Physical therapy or nursing care or counseling • Psychiatric care or counseling • One-time relocation assistance for victims of family violence or a sexual assault who is assaulted in the victim’s place or residence • Loss of earnings or support • Loss of wages and travel reimbursement due to participation in, or attendance at, the investigation, prosecutorial and judicial process, or medical treatment, counseling • Care of a child or dependant • Funeral and burial expenses • Crime scene clean up • Replacement cost for clothing, bedding, or other property seized as evidence or rendered unusable as the result of the investigation • Attorney fees for assistance in filing the CVC application and in obtaining benefits, if the claim is approved • There are also additional benefits for victims who have suffered a catastrophic injury

  19. TEXAS VINE 1-877-894-8463 • VICTIM INFORMATION NOTIFICATION EVERYDAY • REAL TIME EVERY 15MIN. FOR 24HRS • CHANGE IN OFFENDER STATUS IN COUNTY JAIL

  20. Why? • Victim Sensitivity *victim’s trauma and loss *loss of control, trust, feeling safe, faith in the justice system • Victim’s Needs *to vent *calm reassurance *restoration of control

  21. Why? Victim Need’s *preparation of what is to come *may need to be involved in the process, more than you feel necessary *Things that are minor to you may be major to the victim!

  22. Secondary Victimization *Victim can be victimized more than once by: Criminal Justice System, the media, family, friends, employers, service providers or us

  23. How are Victims Re-Victimized? • By using the “why” word • By asking blaming questions • By forcing details & making demands • Judging or stereotyping • Broken promises • Not returning phone calls

  24. How you can help • Be sensitive to their feelings • Listen • Maintain eye contact • Return phone calls • Advise them about resets or dismissals • Order restitution • Explain the sentence to the victim to avoid unrealistic expectations

  25. UNDERSERVED VICTIMS IN CAMERON COUNTY • SECONDARY VICTIMS • SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS • VICTIMS OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE • CHILDREN

  26. D.A. SWORD & SHIELD • The purpose of this civic organization is to assist worthy organizations and causes in our community such as:PDAP; FOW; FCC; The Rainbow Room • The Shield— to protect the victims and citizens of our community. • The Sword— to cut down and fight the never ending battle against crime and evil.

  27. Benefits in receiving Program Services • Knowledge of the criminal Justice process will prevent secondary victimization. • A support System from qualified Crime Victim Advocates. • Reimbursement for crime-related expenses through Crime-Victims Compensation claims. • Access to an array of community services through referrals.

  28. Why are services are necessary?

  29. Questions?

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