The Victim Witness Advocacy Unit is responsible for providing assistance to victims of crimes and coordinating witness participation in criminal cases.
The unit’s mission is to:
- Promote the effective investigation and successful prosecution of criminal cases;
- Provide victims and their families with guidance and support throughout the investigation and prosecution of their cases;
- Educate the community about the prevention and the prosecution of their cases;
- Train first responders to properly investigate sexual assault crimes.
In 2016, the Victim Witness Advocacy Unit provided services to 557 victims. Some of these services include:
- Providing Information and referrals
- Personal advocacy/accompaniment
- Emotional support or safety services
- Shelter/housing services
- Criminal justice system assistance
- Translator assistance
- Restitution assistance
The Victim Witness Advocacy Unit has expanded and welcomed the Family Violence Task Force to its Unit. By consolidating the FVTF with this unit, our resources will be able to provide efficiency in the delivery of our services to victims through the criminal process and/or civil protective orders.
In addition to providing services to victims, our advocates continue to participate in outreach programs and events, to include sexual assault & domestic violence awareness month activities, and family violence taskforce quarterly meetings.