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What is the Victim/Witness
Advocacy Program?
The Michigan Sheriff's Association (MSA) in cooperation with local
Sheriff Offices have created a program to provide on the scene
support and aid to victims or witnesses to a crime, serious accidents,
etc. Specially trained volunteers are contacted by Deputies responding to or
at the scene of an incident and the volunteers respond where needed to
assist victims or witnesses. They often can assist officers by staying
with those victims or witnesses in need of assistance or comforting
while the officers are free to conduct their investigation.
Working as a team, usually in pairs, the Victim Services Unit members
can comfort the victim, aid in crisis intervention counseling, arrange
for transportation, notify family or friends or even arrange for a
babysitter. The victim advocate team members can explain the nature of a victims
rights, as well as describing how the justice system works and often
accompany victims through the court procedures that may come later.
Basically, the Victims Service Unit members stay and support the victims
long after the officers leave.
Who are the Victim Services Unit Members?
The members are made up of volunteers from all walks of life:
professional people, blue collar workers, home-makers, retirees, and
college students. The common aspect of all our members is that they have
a willingness to "get involved" and "they care"
How does someone become a member of the Victim Services Unit?
Members are sought through newspaper advertisements, civic groups or
just word of mouth. Written applications of prospective members are reviewed by the Sheriff,
the local program coordinator selected by the Sheriff, and by a state
wide coordinator. A background check is conducted on each and every
prospective member and the final candidates are contacted for training.
Training consists of an accredited 40 hour course providing members with
information on the following:
-An overview of the Criminal Justice system.
-Instruction in Crisis Management.
-Empathetic Communications Techniques.
-A review of Michigan's Crime Victims Rights laws.
Specific guidance in working with a wide array of victims including:
Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Neglected & Abused Children, and
families forced to cope with a loss as a result of Murder, Suicide, or
Accidental Death. As part of their training, members are often subject to "Role
Playing" to help them cope with actual crisis situations when they
occur.
What compensation do Victim Services members receive?
Only the satisfaction of knowing they have helped someone in need. Our
members are all volunteers and give of their time and hard work freely
to aid others in need.
How are Victim Services Unit Members notified?
The Sheriff Department is the local agency responsible for calling out
team members. This is usually through a radio paging system at the
Sheriff Dept. and members on call carry beepers with them. But it is not only a Sheriff Department Officer who can request a Victim
Services Unit to help in a crisis situation. Members can be called out
by the Sheriff Dept. at the request of any local police agency,
hospital, ambulance, etc. Victims Services Unit members can usually be recognized thru a special
windbreaker or jacket with the MSA Star on it. Although some funds are
made available for supplies such as these jackets, beepers, etc., most
of these items are purchased with local funds obtained through
donations, fundraisers, etc.
What have the Victim Services Unit done in Muskegon County?
These members have provided a much needed service to our area and will
continue to respond where ever and when ever needed. Currently,
the Muskegon Victim Services Unit are called out for murder and serious
or fatal accidents. As the shock wears off and the questions
begin, the Victim Services Unit has been there for the family. The
Unit has also provided information about other organizations for
assistance.
Being on call for one week a month is demanding both physically and
emotionally and we are grateful to the volunteers of our local Victim
Services Unit.
For more information:
Contact Muskegon County Sheriff
Department's Victim Services Unit Coordinator 231-724-6351. |
