CRIME VICTIMS ASSISTANCE CENTER
Victim Services Director Angela Fitzgerald
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Emergency Assistance |
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The Crime Victims Assistance Center provides a range of services for individuals who are a victim of a crime in California and/or witness to a crime who suffers either financial loss or emotional problems from the experience. Included in the services which may be available to victims and witnesses are the following:
Information Services - Information about the Crime Victims Assistance Center, services available, and the eligibility requirements for the services.
Counseling Services - Counseling services may include crisis counseling, counseling resource and referral services, and follow-up counseling services.
Emergency Assistance - Assistance may include temporary shelter, food, transportation, and medical care.
Claims Assistance - Assistance in completing the required financial claims forms with the State Of California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board.
Justice System Information Assistance - Assistance in understanding the criminal justice system, assistance and support during court appearances, and assistance in retrieving property held in evidence.
Notification Assistance - Assistance in the notifications of friends, relatives, and employer (as requested).
Eligibility Information - Assistance in understanding the eligibility requirements for receiving program services, and for receiving financial compensation for out of pocket expenses resulting from the crime.
Information about the Criminal Justice System which should be of interest to victims and witnesses is available in the Web Site in the page titled Overview of the Criminal Justice System. You are encouraged to read that information in addition to the information contained in this page.
Please view this Victims of Violence Video
HISTORY OF CRIME VICTIMS ASSISTANCE CENTER
All people have hopes, plans, and dreams for their families, their jobs, and their lives. Many people see some, perhaps not all, of their dreams come true. Last year, some 31 million Americans victimized by crime saw part of their hopes, plans, and dreams altered. Victims and witnesses often experience trauma resulting from a crime, which can be increased by their involvement with the criminal justice process.
The victims movement has a rich history. In 1965, California implemented the Victims of Crime Program to allow victims to be reimbursed for losses suffered while recovering from the trauma of a violent crime. The first three local victim centers opened their doors in 1972. The concept of giving the crime victims a voice in the justice process was realized with the introduction of the first victim impact statement in 1976. In 1979 the Legislature established funding for rape crisis and victim/witness centers to provide support to victims. In 1982, Proposition 8, The Victims' Bill of Rights, became law in California. This legislation recognized the rights of victims in criminal justice proceedings and provided victims the right to speak at sentencing and parole hearings. We saw the passage of Proposition 115, known as the Crime Victims' Justice Reform Act in 1990. Proposition 115 benefited crime victims by reducing the number of times crime victims must testify, promoted speedy trials, increased sentences and punishment, and required reciprocal discovery of evidence.
There is a continuing concern that the victims and witnesses
who are forced to become involved in the criminal justice system should
be treated equally on the scales of justice with those individuals accused
of committing the crime. Victims and witnesses often feel isolated and
confused and do not know where to turn for practical advice or support.
Furthermore, crime victims often need immediate help, food, clothing,
or temporary housing. The Shasta County Crime Victims Assistance Center is a
part of a nationwide network of victim/witness assistance centers providing
services to victims and witnesses.
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The Shasta County Board of Supervisors has designated the Crime Victims Assistance Center as the "provider of major and comprehensive victim and witness
services in Shasta County". The Crime Victim Assistance staff encourage crime victims
to talk about their needs and listens to their wishes with compassion and
a commitment to help. They work to provide crime victims with information,
resources and respect as they navigate the often-turbulent waters of the
criminal justice process. Should you or someone you know be victimized,
it is important to understand the rights afforded to victims in our state.
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CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS
Victims of crimes, and witnesses have rights that are important to understand and protect. A brief description of the rights which benefit victims and witnesses is as follows:
- RIGHT TO KEEP ADDRESS CONFIDENTIAL
- RIGHT NOT TO BE THREATENED OR INTIMIDATED
- RIGHT TO COUNSELOR-ASSAULT VICTIM PRIVILEGE (Confidentiality)
- RIGHT TO BE PRESENT AT ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS INCLUDING THE IMPACT STATEMENT (Sentencing and Parole Hearings)
- RIGHT TO BE INFORMED OF THE SENTENCE RECOMMENDED
BY THE PROBATION OFFICER
See Marsy's Law at this website: http://ag.ca.gov/victimservices/index.php
COUNSELING SERVICES
Victim Assistance provides counseling services to assist the victim/witness with the problems they may be facing as a result of the crime as well as interacting with the criminal justice system.
Crisis Intervention: - immediate crisis counseling provided when the crime victims normal coping skills are overwhelmed as the result of their victimization.
Resource and Referrals to counseling: referrals to other community agencies to obtain services not available from the center.
Follow-up Counseling: - Counseling to assist with emotional, personal, financial and employment related problems resulting from the crime.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Emergency assistance to obtain temporary shelter, clothing, food, transportation,
and medical care may be available to victims and witnesses of crime depending on the circumstances of the crime and other factors.
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COMPENSATION FILING ASSISTANCE
Crime Victims Assistance Center staff are trained to assist victims to file a
claim with the state Victims of Crime Program administered by the State
Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board for out of pocket expenses directly related to the crime.
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JUSTICE SYSTEM ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT
As a victim or a witness, staff from the program will assist you in the following areas:
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Assistance in understanding the criminal justice system
- Assistance and support through court appearances
- Assistance and support during law enforcement interviews and meetings with prosecutors
- Help in obtaining property held as evidence
- Information, upon request, regarding the progress of the case and its disposition
ASSISTANCE IN NOTIFICATIONS
Staff from the Crime Victims Assistance Center can assist you with the following notifications:
- Notification of friends and relatives that you are the victim of a crime (at your request)
- Notification of, and intervention with, your employer, on your behalf, to minimize loss of pay and/or benefits because the crime caused you loss of time from work
ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES
Who May Be Eligible for Services from the Program?
The District Attorney Crime Victims Assistance Center offers comprehensive
services to victims and witnesses of all types of crimes, whether or not
a suspect is apprehended and prosecuted. The program seeks to reduce the
trauma and insensitivity that victims and witnesses may experience following
the crime.
VICTIMS COMPENSATION
If you or a loved one has suffered physical or emotional injury from a violent crime, the Victims of Crime Program may be able to help.
The program was created to help victims and their families with the many costs of crime. It is funded entirely with fines and penalties from offenders, not by California's tax dollars.
Individuals Who May Be Eligible For Compensation:
- Persons who have been physically or emotionally injured by crime in California.
- California residents injured by crime or terrorism wherever it may take place.
- Survivors of a victim who has died as a direct result of a crime, and anyone who has paid for the medical, funeral and or burial expenses of that victim.
- A victim's spouse, child, parent or sibling. A family member of the victim, including the victim's fiancé who witnessed the crime.
- A person living in the victim's household at the time of the crime or who had lived with the victim for at least two years in a relationship similar to a spouse, child, parent, or sibling of the victim.
- The primary care giver of a minor victim.
Factors Used In Determining Eligibility For Compensation:
- Documentation that a crime has occurred. (crime report from law enforcement or Children's Protective Services).
- Persons cannot have been a contributor to or involved in the commission of the crime.
- An application is filed with the Program within one year from the date of the crime or an explanation is provided as to why it was not filed on time.
- If the victim was a minor at the time the crime occurred and the claim is filed before the victim's 19th birthday or explain why it was not filed on time.
- The individual(s) is cooperating with law enforcement agencies in the apprehension and conviction of the criminal(s) who committed the crime.
- The individual(s) is cooperating with the Crime Victims Assistance Center or its representatives.
- An applicant must not have consented to, provoked, or incited the crime nor have been assisting in or committing a criminal act causing the injuries.
What Type of Compensation is Available?
Depending on the circumstances and date of the crime, a person who qualifies as a victim of a crime may be entitled to compensation for un-reimbursed monetary loss. The compensation must be reimbursement for medical and hospital expenses, rehabilitation or retraining costs, including counseling and therapy, and, in some instances, attorney fees associated with representing the victim in a claim with the State Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board.
As each case is different, request assistance from staff from the Crime Victims Assistance Center.
Also keep in mind that the Victims of Crime Program is secondary to all other insurance, payer of "last resort." If your loss is covered by insurance, the insurance is to be used before the Victims of Crimes Program.
OTHER VICTIM WITNESS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Community Outreach and Coordination
Pro-active efforts are made to identify and contact potential victims utilizing
local law enforcement. The Shasta County Board of Supervisors has designated
the Crime Victims Assistance Center as the " provider of major and comprehensive
victim and witness services in Shasta County". A key element in this role
is that of coordinating with and referring victims and witnesses to other
community resources including, but not limited to the following: North Valley Catholic Social Services, Child Abuse Treatment
Services Program, Child Abuser Vertical Prosecution Grant Program, Women's
Refuge, Children and Family Services (CFS), Adult Protective Services
(APS), and Helpline.
Law Enforcement Coordination
Law enforcement is a critical resource to the Crime Victims Assistance Center and
is also a valuable resource to victims and witnesses of crimes as information
about the Crime Victim Assistance Center is often first provided by the local
law enforcement officer who investigates the crime. The program works
closely with law enforcement to inform officials of the available services
and assists them in aiding the victims and witnesses.
Court Support
Victims and witnesses often need considerable assistance to understand
and persevere during the court proceedings. The program may assist with
child victims in need of court services.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
The form to request notification of inmate status from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation can be accessed clicking on this link: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Victim_Services/docs/victim_form.pdf
VINE
The Crime Victims Assistance Center can provide assistance with VINE registration, please call for your appointment.
"VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is an automated service available 24-hours-a-day by telephone or internet. Victims of crime and citizens in general may register with the service to be automatically notified when an offender is released or transferred from custody."
CONTACTING THE CRIME VICTIMS ASSISTANCE CENTER
How do I contact the Crime Victims Assistance Center?If you were the victim of a crime, you were probably provided information about the program from the Police Officer or Deputy Sheriff who talked with you about the case. If not, you can contact the Crime Victim Assistance Center at 225-5220.
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Crime Victim Assistance Center
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Telephone
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Business Hours
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1525 Court St. 3rd Floor Located across the street from the court house. |
(530) 225-5220 |
Office - 8 am - 5 p.m. Telephone - 8 am - 5 p.m. |
