The Victim Specialist provides services to primary and secondary victims of all ages, through emotional support, advocacy, communication, safety planning, education on navigating the criminal justice and Family Court systems, assistance in filing for and securing Family Offense Orders of Protection, providing notification of criminal justice events, accompaniment to meetings with Law Enforcement, the Prosecution and Court appearances, and providing assistance with Victim Compensation Claims.    The Victim Specialist also helps individuals identify services needs and assists in facilitating referrals for outside, ongoing specialized services.

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Victim advocacy is intended to support the Investigative process with a goal of providing the most supportive opportunity for victims to be informed and heard within the justice system.  A victim can feel an increased sense of safety simply from not feeling alone, being heard and offered crisis counseling.  A victim specialist provides a supportive presence and crisis counseling as needed.  

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The impact of physical and emotional violence on individuals and families is ever lasting.   It affects not only the individual(s) being directly subjected to the crime/abuse, but all of those connected to that individual(s).  In order to assist an individual(s) transition from a place of vulnerability and despair to a place of strength and stability, they need support, education, guidance, advocacy and accompaniment.  

Creating foundational connections between a victim and a Victim Specialist early on establishes a groundwork for future interactions, advocacy and cooperation.