Crime Victim Assistance Unit

NEED & PURPOSE

Crime victims are often so severely traumatized by their victimization that their ability to function in daily life is impaired. Entire families are often affected when one or more members have been traumatized. Victims often report symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. In the midst of their trauma, they are often emotionally immobilized and unable to seek the resources available to assist them with their immediate and long term needs. Most victims have little knowledge and experience with community resources or where to begin to seek help. The criminal justice system itself can be confusing and overwhelming for victims, and their lack of knowledge about the process often contributes to a sense of helplessness and frustration, often leading to decreased cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts. Victims of domestic violence in particular may have complex emotional, financial, and legal concerns that affect their willingness to participate in the process and may limit their ability to make sound decisions about improving their situations.

The victim's first contact with helpers is generally with the police officer, who may or may not be trained in dealing with victims of violent crime. The patrol officer, whose primary responsibility is investigation and law enforcement,. Unfortunately, law enforcement personnel and the criminal justice system itself can be a source of secondary victimization without an understanding of victimization or the knowledge of victims' rights. Additionally, victims often sustain severe financial hardship as a direct result of their victimization. These and other constraints may hinder victim access to the criminal justice process and interfere with the exercising their rights under the law.

The Mansfield Police Department Victim Assistance Program (MPDVAP) exists to provide services to victims and family members with the goal of lessening the short and long-term trauma experienced as a direct result of their victimization. For this purpose, victims and their family members are provided with crisis intervention help, information, reassurance, empathetic listening, guidance for resolving problems and referrals to other social service agencies to provide additional support. Currently, the Victim Assistance Program provides services to victims of violent crime in Mansfield.

Services include: Guidance during crisis, on-scene counseling, notification regarding eligibility for application to the Crime Victims' Compensation (CVC) fund, assistance with CVC applications, death notification, personal advocacy/intervention, information and referrals to local social service agencies, child care (while statements are given to detectives) and other services as assessed on a case by case basis by staff.

On scene crisis intervention services and follow-up can be provided to victims of domestic violence. Victims of other types of violent crime may also receive on site crisis intervention services.

The VAP (Victim Assistance Program) works conjointly with other agencies to provide a comprehensive chain of services to those victims. VAP staff and volunteers work closely with a number of different types of service providers including counselors, shelter programs, programs for at risk youth, local charities, attorneys, and the District Attorney's Victim Assistance, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

In addition to direct services to victims, VAP staff also provides training to police department personnel who deal directly with victims. By increasing the awareness of department personnel of the various types of victim reactions, victims' rights, and appropriate strategies for effectively dealing with victims, both the victim and department benefit through improved overall relationships and improved service to the community. The entire Victim Assistance team is very interested in increasing public awareness of crime victims' rights, Victimology, and available services.

INFORMATION CLINICS OFFERED BY VICTIM ASSISTANCE UNIT AND COMMUNITIY RESOURCE OFFICE

The Victim Assistance Program and the Community Resource Division of the Mansfield Police Department are happy to announce a new joint-effort approach to community awareness and crime prevention. "Info Clinics" are now being offered to Mansfield church, civic, and neighborhood groups . . . free of charge!

The following groups are just a few of those that can benefit from "Info Clinics":

Senior Citizen Groups
Church or Synogogue Study Groups
Adult Sunday School Classes
Employee Group Meetings
Civic Groups
Neighborhood Watch Groups
Parent Groups
Student/Teacher Groups
Club Meetings

Choose from any of the following clinic topics that fit the needs of your church, civic group, or neighborhood:




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	Crime Victim Assistance Unit NEED & PURPOSE Crime victims are often so severely traumatized by their victimization that their ability to function in daily life is impaired. Entire families are often affected when one or more members have been traumatized. Victims often report symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. In the midst of their trauma, they are often emotionally immobilized and unable to seek the resources available to assist them with their immediate and long term needs. Most victims have little knowledge and experience with community resources or where to begin to seek help. The criminal justice system itself can be confusing and overwhelming for victims, and their lack of knowledge about the process often contributes to a sense of helplessness and frustration, often leading to decreased cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts. Victims of domestic violence in particular may have complex emotional, financial, and legal concerns that affect their willingness to participate in the process and may limit their ability to make sound decisions about improving their situations. The victim's first contact with helpers is generally with the police officer, who may or may not be trained in dealing with victims of violent crime. The patrol officer, whose primary responsibility is investigation and law enforcement,. Unfortunately, law enforcement personnel and the criminal justice system itself can be a source of secondary victimization without an understanding of victimization or the knowledge of victims' rights. Additionally, victims often sustain severe financial hardship as a direct result of their victimization. These and other constraints may hinder victim access to the criminal justice process and interfere with the exercising their rights under the law. The Mansfield Police Department Victim Assistance Program (MPDVAP) exists to provide services to victims and family members with the goal of lessening the short and long-term trauma experienced as a direct result of their victimization. For this purpose, victims and their family members are provided with crisis intervention help, information, reassurance, empathetic listening, guidance for resolving problems and referrals to other social service agencies to provide additional support. Currently, the Victim Assistance Program provides services to victims of violent crime in Mansfield. Services include: Guidance during crisis, on-scene counseling, notification regarding eligibility for application to the Crime Victims' Compensation (CVC) fund, assistance with CVC applications, death notification, personal advocacy/intervention, information and referrals to local social service agencies, child care (while statements are given to detectives) and other services as assessed on a case by case basis by staff. On scene crisis intervention services and follow-up can be provided to victims of domestic violence. Victims of other types of violent crime may also receive on site crisis intervention services. The VAP (Victim Assistance Program) works conjointly with other agencies to provide a comprehensive chain of services to those victims. VAP staff and volunteers work closely with a number of different types of service providers including counselors, shelter programs, programs for at risk youth, local charities, attorneys, and the District Attorney's Victim Assistance, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). In addition to direct services to victims, VAP staff also provides training to police department personnel who deal directly with victims. By increasing the awareness of department personnel of the various types of victim reactions, victims' rights, and appropriate strategies for effectively dealing with victims, both the victim and department benefit through improved overall relationships and improved service to the community. The entire Victim Assistance team is very interested in increasing public awareness of crime victims' rights, Victimology, and available services. INFORMATION CLINICS OFFERED BY VICTIM ASSISTANCE UNIT AND COMMUNITIY RESOURCE OFFICE The Victim Assistance Program and the Community Resource Division of the Mansfield Police Department are happy to announce a new joint-effort approach to community awareness and crime prevention. "Info Clinics" are now being offered to Mansfield church, civic, and neighborhood groups . . . free of charge! The following groups are just a few of those that can benefit from "Info Clinics": Senior Citizen Groups Church or Synogogue Study Groups Adult Sunday School Classes Employee Group Meetings Civic Groups Neighborhood Watch Groups Parent Groups Student/Teacher Groups Club Meetings Choose from any of the following clinic topics that fit the needs of your church, civic group, or neighborhood: Introducing Victim Assistance Program Family Violence Issues Grief Recovery Crime Victim Rights Telemarketing Fraud Sexual Assault & Trauma Healing Child Abuse Tree of Angels Suicide Prevention Hate Crimes I.D. Theft Mental Health Crime Victim Compensation Con Games Texas Laws Pertaining to Victims Crisis Needs of Adults Victim Rights & The News Media Personal & Employee Safety A Walk Through the Judicial System Crime Prevention Home Security Church Safety Crimes Against Women "Info Clinics" can be scheduled for almost any time at your location or at the new Manslfield Public Safety Building. Contact Dan Burdan of the Crime Victim Asistance Unit at (817)276-4700 or email at dburdan@mansfieldpolice.com.