Victim Services - Mission and Beliefs

Mission

The Victim Services Program:

  • provides timely information and high-quality assistance to victims and witnesses and other concerned citizens;
  • develops collaborative partnerships with victims, victim advocates, criminal justice agencies, community-based organizations and other community members to promote victim and community safety;
  • advocates for policies that give victims an influential voice and that hold offenders accountable for their acts.

We Believe…

  • Justice starts with acknowledgement of the harm done
  • Victims and survivors should be treated with dignity and respect
  • Honoring confidentiality is critical
  • Victims and survivors should be empowered to make choices
  • Victims and survivors should be provided with timely and accurate information
  • No one deserves to be victimized
  • The effects of crime are unique to each individual
  • Effective collaboration addresses barriers, promotes accessibility and builds strong relationships
  • Prevention of harm is a priority
  • Offenders must be held accountable for their actions and the harm they cause
  • Reduction of harm to victims and the community is the true measure of offender change

Victims' Council

Established in 1998, the members of Victims' Council represent various community and state victim organizations. The Council serves as an advisory body, ensuring that crime victims are represented in the development of Department policies, procedures, and legislative initiatives.

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