Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2023 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate the 2023 Victim Witness Program Grant awarded by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Hampton Victim Witness Assistance Program (the "Program") prides itself on its ability to provide quality, direct services to crime victims in the City of Hampton, Virginia (the "City"). The Program provides those services through a group of dedicated service providers who have demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that the rights of crime victims are not overlooked in the criminal justice process. Collectively, the Program staff has over 50 years of experience working in the field of victim services. The Program continues to provide comprehensive information and direct services to crime victims and witnesses in accordance with the Virginia Crime Victims and Witnesses Rights Act and other applicable victims’ rights laws. For fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023), it is estimated that 1,000 victims and 200 witnesses will receive direct services through the Program.
Discussion:
The Program is on the front line of victim/witness interactions when a violent act occurs in the City. The Program facilitates the first contact to victims/witnesses of crimes to offer services after a Hampton Police Department investigation. The Program addresses the emotional and financial hardships that normally accompanies violent crimes and also helps guide and direct those individuals to available resources in the community, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for injuries sustained, counseling and other services as needed.
The Program consistently adheres to policy initiatives of the City by participating in the City’s Job Performance Evaluation process; being actively involved in the community and utilizing volunteers to maximize direct services while minimizing the costs associated with staffing. The goal ...
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