On National Crime Victims Rights Week
By Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas -- Helping victims and their families recover from violent crime is the right thing to do. As the States chief law enforcement official I am committed to working with state and local law enforcement to protect Texas communities and prevent crime. Robust crime victims assistance is critical to effective law enforcement because
investigators and prosecutors rely upon victims to hold criminals accountable for their crimes.
The Office of the Attorney Generals Crime Victim Services Division (CVSD) works closely with local authorities and crime victim services organizations to ensure that Texas crime victims have the help and support they need to rebuild their lives.
By working together the Attorney Generals Office local authorities victim assistance officials and nonprofit crime victim services organizations can provide seamless support for victims. Crime victim advocates serve victims by carefully listening to their stories offering guidance on the crime victims compensation process and referring victims to the Crime Victims Compensation (CVC) Program. The CVC Program was created by the Texas Legislature to ensure crime victims and their families do not bear the cost of violent crimes.
Professional victim advocates who work in local law enforcement departments and district attorneys offices balance the needs of the victims with the requirements of the criminal justice system. Advocates at non-governmental or nonprofit agencies such as domestic violence or sexual assault crisis centers child advocacy centers or homicide support groups focus on crime victims personal needs and concerns. Both groups of advocates have policies that mandate victim safety and support assistance with crime victims compensation notification of victims rights and information on the impact of crime the criminal justice process and how to navigate the path to recovery.
Crime victim liaisons which are legislatively mandated advocates housed in local law enforcement offices are often the first advocates to respond to a crime victim. They set the tone with a victim or family member regarding how a victim is treated by the criminal justice system and investigative process. Crime victim liaisons also help connect victims with crime victim services organizations nonprofit advocates. During this initial encounter local advocates provide hope and guidance to victims in the aftermath of a violent crime.
As victims progress out of the acute phase of a violent crime victim advocates continue to assist them with resources and their legal rights. If a crime was reported investigated and verified a crime victim liaison will transition a victim to work with a victim assistance coordinator a legislatively mandated community-based advocate in a local prosecutors office. The advocate will often be the bridge and the consistent source of support for a victim during this process.
Often the job includes accompanying a victim throughout their discussions with law enforcement officials and prosecutors facilitating information gathering securing updates
on victims case status and ensuring that victims and employers understand crime victims rights.
Community-based advocates also help victims complete their CVC application for financial assistance from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund so that the financial burden associated with violent crime does not further traumatize victims. Texas law imposes multiple requirements that victims must satisfy to be eligible for reimbursement from the CVC Fund so advocates are particularly helpful at this stage of the process. Professionally prepared applications are often more complete and therefore easier to process and approve which leads to quicker reimbursements for victims.
When crime victim liaisons victim assistance coordinators and local nonprofit agencies such as a domestic violence center or sexual assault center establish effective working relationships victims benefit from their collaboration. Consequently the justice process is less traumatizing and more likely to result in a thorough investigation.
This years National Crime Victims Rights Week is appropriately named Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim." It recalls the core ideal of the victims rights movement justice for every victim of crime. Supporting advocates and the work they do continues to be a top priority for the Office of the Attorney General. Advocates help advance crime victims march down the path to recovery and serve as their voice as they navigate the criminal justice process.
