Community Programs

Victim Services of Muskegon County is a non-profit, community based agency which assists police, fire and other emergency services in providing emotional and practical assistance to victims of crime, tragic circumstances and disaster.

OBJECTIVES: 

• To lessen the trauma of being victimized.
• To help the victim cope with the impact of crime and/or tragic circumstances.
• To facilitate the victim in accessing appropriate support services in our community.
• To educate and promote victim assistance in our community.

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.