Being a victim of a crime is a traumatic experience. WJCS has launched a Crime Victims Advocacy and Support Services Program (CVASSP). By supporting victims through advocacy, ensuring they have safe housing, helping them access public benefits, and providing mental health counseling, WJCS helps victims recover from the experience.
“Being a victim of a crime can be a life-altering event, shattering one’s sense of security and safety. WJCS is here to help victims with the recovery process, to connect them to services, and to walk with them on the path to recovery,” said WJCS CEO Seth Diamond.
A crime occurs every 16 minutes on average in Westchester County. In 2020, 2,157 cases were reported to the Domestic Violence Unit in Westchester, and 3,129 orders of protection were issued. There were 1,585 violent crimes, which include rape, robbery, murder, and aggravated assault, and 8,721 property crimes, including burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. There were 728 child abuse cases investigated, according to the most recent Westchester County District Attorney Annual Report. In addition to being emotionally-wrenching experiences, crime and violence are also important critical public health issues. Children and adolescents exposed to violence are at risk for poor long-term behavioral and mental health outcomes, and need support immediately.
As a leader in providing comprehensive trauma treatment at our Trager Lemp Center for Treating Trauma and Promoting Resilience, WJCS is well-positioned to strengthen victim advocacy and support for crime survivors countywide. We provide coordination of care, comprehensive services, and additional wraparound services to children and adults who are victims and survivors of crime, gun violence, domestic violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, underserved victims, as well as those who witnessed these crimes. Crisis intervention services include providing a 24-hour hotline, information about legal rights and law enforcement procedures, assistance with navigating medical and social service systems, transportation, and accompaniment to medical examinations and criminal justice proceedings, emotional support and trauma-focused, evidence-based mental health treatment, and referrals to other sources of food, housing, legal, and medical assistance. Safety planning is an essential part of case management.
The WJCS CVASS program also partners with other WJCS programs to provide connection and access to various services to enhance a victim’s quality of life and work towards healing.
In an emergency, please call this 24/7 HOTLINE:
1-800-405-3991
Learn more about CVASSP here.
For more information about the WJCS Crime Victims Advocacy and Support Services Program, please contact Josefa Romero, CVASSP Program Director, at [email protected].
