Mission Statement
“ The Victims’ Assistance
Program
goal is to improve the quality of life of violent
crime victims and their families by providing
them with case status information and direct
services to enhance their participation in the
criminal justice system”
Philosophy

To provide service to
all victims of violent
crimes by advocating
for them.

To ensure that every
individual who goes
through this program
receives quality
services during their
criminal justice
preceding.
Services a diverse population
That encompasses:
Males
Females
Adults
Children
Target Population
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
American Indians
Campus Crime
Child Abuse
Civil Legal Remedies
Community Crisis Response
Coping With the Holidays
Crime Victims' Rights (Bill of Rights)
Dating Violence
Domestic Violence
Drunk Driving
Elder Abuse
Fraud/Identity Theft
Terrorism and Mass Violence
Trafficking in Persons
Victims with Disabilities
Workplace Violence
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Military Victims
Missing and Exploited Children
Physical Assault
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Random Acts of Violence
Sex Offender Registry
Sexual Assault and Rape
Stalking
State-VOCA Programs Hate and
Bias Crimes
Homicide: Survivors/Co-victims
Impact Statements
Incest or Sexual Abuse
Kid-Friendly Links
Toll-Free Numbers
Vicarious Trauma
Victim Assistance by Faith-Based
Organizations
Services Provided









Educating Victims about the criminal justice
process and their role in the criminal justice
process.
Informing victims of case status and court dates.
Assisting victims prepare written and oral victim
impact statements.
Trial preparation and court accompaniment.
Assistance in filing out Crime Victims’
Compensation forms.
Emergency financial assistance for funeral/burial
expenses in homicide cases.
Process and file protective orders for victims of
family violence and sexual assault.
Assistance in writing parole protest letters.
Referrals to community social services.
Budget
The Crime Victims Program is funded through
grants, DA and County funds. Theses grants
are obtained by Victim Coordinator Rosie
Mendoza and County Program & Development
Management Department in hopes of receiving
funding to continue helping victims of violent
crime.
HOW?
Victim Packets







Information and referrals sent to victim
Victim’s Right Brochure
Victim Impact Statement
Restitution form
Crime Victims’ Compensation
Texas Vine
Phone calls & Walk Ins
Crime Victim’s
Compensation
What is it?

A financial assistance
program that helps eligible
victims of crime with certain
expenses related to the crime.

Money for this program
comes from court cost paid by
criminals and deposited by
each Texas county into The
Crime Victims’ Compensation
Fund.

The Crime Victims’ Compensation
Program is administered by The Attorney
General

“The payer of last resort”



Health Insurance
Medicaid
Medicare
To Be Eligible

To be a United States Resident with the crime occurring in
Texas or a Texas resident who becomes a victim in a state
or country without a compensation program; United
States citizenship not required.

Report the crime to a law enforcement agency with a
reasonable period of time, but not so late to interfere with
or hamper the investigation and prosecution of the crime.

File the application within three years of the date of crime.
Who May Qualify?



An innocent
victim of crime
who suffers
substantial
threat of
physical and/or
emotional harm
or death.
Immediate family
or household
members related by
blood or marriage
who require
counseling as a
result of the crime.
Dependant
victim
Authorized
individual acting
on behalf of a
victim.
A
Person who
legally assumes the
obligations or
voluntarily pays
certain expenses
related to the crime
on behalf of the
victim
A peace officer, fire
fighter or individual
who has a duty to
protect the public
and who is injured
in a crime
Intervenor who goes
to the aid of a victim
or peace officer
Who is not eligible?

Benefits may be reduced
or denied if the victim:






Participated in the crime
Engaged in illegal activity
Contributed to the crime
Was an inmate at the time
of the crime
Knowingly or intentional
submitted a false or
forged information to the
CVC program
Did not cooperate with
the appropriate law
enforcement agencies.
What crimes are covered?

The victims suffers substantial threat of physical
or emotional harm or death.

May include:





Sexual assault
Kidnapping
Robbery
Assault
Manslaughter
What vehicular crimes are covered?







Failure to stop and
render aid
DWI
Manslaughter
Criminally
negligent homicide
Aggravated assault
Intoxication
manslaughter
Intoxication assault
What type of financial assistance is available?

Claims may be approved for benefits up to a
total of $50,000. Catastrophic injuries
resulting in total and permanent disability
victims may be eligible for an additional
$75,000 in benefits.
Benefits may be awarded for the following:











Medical, hospital, Physical therapy or nursing care or counseling
Psychiatric care or counseling
One-time relocation assistance for victims of family violence or a sexual assault who
is assaulted in the victim’s place or residence
Loss of earnings or support
Loss of wages and travel reimbursement due to participation in, or attendance at, the
investigation, prosecutorial and judicial process, or medical treatment, counseling
Care of a child or dependant
Funeral and burial expenses
Crime scene clean up
Replacement cost for clothing, bedding, or other property seized as evidence or
rendered unusable as the result of the investigation
Attorney fees for assistance in filing the CVC application and in obtaining benefits, if
the claim is approved
There are also additional benefits for victims who have suffered a catastrophic injury
TEXAS VINE
1-877-894-8463
 VICTIM INFORMATION NOTIFICATION
EVERYDAY

REAL TIME EVERY 15MIN. FOR 24HRS

CHANGE IN OFFENDER STATUS IN
COUNTY JAIL
Why?


Victim Sensitivity
*victim’s trauma and loss
*loss of control, trust, feeling safe, faith in
the justice system
Victim’s Needs
*to vent
*calm reassurance
*restoration of control
Why?
Victim Need’s
*preparation of what is to come
*may need to be involved in the process,
more than you feel necessary
*Things that are minor to you may be major
to the victim!

Secondary Victimization
*Victim can be victimized more than once by:
Criminal Justice System, the media,
family, friends, employers, service providers
or us
How are Victims
Re-Victimized?






By using the “why” word
By asking blaming questions
By forcing details
& making demands
Judging or stereotyping
Broken promises
Not returning phone calls
How you can help







Be sensitive to their feelings
Listen
Maintain eye contact
Return phone calls
Advise them about resets
or dismissals
Order restitution
Explain the sentence
to the victim to avoid
unrealistic expectations
UNDERSERVED VICTIMS IN
CAMERON COUNTY

SECONDARY VICTIMS

SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS

VICTIMS OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

CHILDREN
D.A. SWORD & SHIELD

The purpose of this civic organization is to assist
worthy organizations and causes in our community
such as:PDAP; FOW; FCC; The Rainbow Room

The Shield— to protect the victims and citizens of
our community.

The Sword— to cut down and fight the never ending
battle against crime and evil.
Benefits in receiving
Program Services




Knowledge of the criminal Justice process
will prevent secondary victimization.
A support System from qualified Crime Victim
Advocates.
Reimbursement for crime-related expenses
through Crime-Victims Compensation claims.
Access to an array of community services
through referrals.
Why are services are necessary?