Ana Giron, Team Leader

The members of the Victim Services Unit provide a comprehensive program of services to felony crime victims and their families. Advocates are assigned to victims and their families for guidance and support through the court process. They inform them of their rights, notify them of the status of their case, assist them in court, and help them to better understand and participate in the legal process. In addition, the unit provides referrals to other agencies and support groups that can provide further assistance with financial, legal, medical, or emotional problems resulting from the crime.

In performing these services, the unit staff worked closely with highly traumatized victims and families in homicide, driving death resulting, child molestation, sexual assault, and domestic violence cases as well as other felony cases - answering questions, overcoming fears, explaining court procedures, sharing concerns, and accompanying victims to court.

The unit continues to operate the Inmate Release Notification Program. The program notifies victims of felony crimes of an inmate's pre-conviction release from the Adult Correctional Institution.

The unit has an "on call" system for advocates to work with police departments and prosecutors on homicide cases, with a goal of establishing contact with the victim's family within 24 hours. Two advocates are on call at all times. Information on Victims Compensation, support services, and case status are made available to each family. There is also a weekend rotation system so that the "on call" prosecutor has an advocate available to them as well.

The Victims Services Unit provides services to Spanish speaking victims in their native language, with forms, brochures, and letters. There is also a Spanish-speaking advocate.

The new database produces a higher quality correspondence and superior ability to generate statistics. New Victim Impact Statements that are more specific to the crime (i.e., child molestation, financial crimes and homicide) will soon be implemented.