From
Joe Dionisi
Title
Resolution supporting the eighteenth-year continuation of the Police Department's Victim Assistance Program grant in the amount of $80,000
Presenter
Chief Steve Dye, Police Department
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The Police Department is interested in applying to the Criminal Justice Division (CJD) of the Governor's Office for a continuation grant for the Victim Assistance Program, which consists of two full-time Crime Victim Services Coordinators.
The Crime Victim Services Coordinators will plan, coordinate, and administer the Victim Assistance Program by recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers and interns; providing personal advocacy for crime victims and their families; planning, implementing, and monitoring new programs pertaining to victim outreach; court accompaniment and interfacing with law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and others on behalf of victims; assisting victims in securing Crime Victims Compensation benefits; providing community education programs; and participating as a member of the Coalition of Crime Victim Services, Law Enforcement Victim Assistance, and Grand Prairie Human Services Coalition.
Last year, the Victims Assistance Unit provided services in the following types of incidents involving victimization: child physical abuse (40), child sexual abuse (101), DWI crashes (22), domestic violence (558), adult sexual assault (20), adult molested as child (5), survivors of homicide (6), robbery (163), assault (163)
In 2012, the unit's services were categorized as follows: crisis counseling (38), victim follow-up (449), information/referral in person (89), justice support advocacy (588), emergency financial assistance (144), assistance in filing compensation claims (909), personal advocacy (310), telephone contacts (594).
The Grand Prairie Police Department's Victims Assistance Unit provides a valuable service to community members in assisting crime victims in navigating th...
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