The Purpose of Victim Advocates
The Victim Services Unit provides victims with support, assistance and crisis intervention at a time when it is most needed. The initial shock following a crime, sudden death or other trauma is harsh and painful for those involved. Police officers present at the scene of a crime or accident act with compassion and sympathy, but their primary responsibility is related to law enforcement protocol such as crime scene investigation and filling out police reports.
Victim Services Units have been created to solely focus on the victims and to help the victim and family cope with the crisis. The Northglenn/Thornton Victim Services Unit is staffed by dedicated and highly-trained advocates who are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond immediately to the scene of a crime, accident or victim's home at the request of a police officer.
Victim advocates not only support victims through the immediate trauma, but they also provide follow-up with referral information to further aid victims and their families through the healing process. |
