Victim Assistance
The Victim Assistance ( VA ) program was implemented in 1992. The program was launched in the community at the 1st Annual Victim's Rights Vigil. The VA unit first responded to felony crimes against persons and remains the only first responding VA in the county. We serve Florida Highway Patrol and area police departments.
Victim Advocates assigned to this unit are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, giving victims the earliest possible assistance. Services include, but are not limited to: immediate assistance helping the victim with their practical needs, notification of the survivor and/or their families, and in case of death, staying with the victim and/or survivor until family members or friends can arrive and are working within the perimeters of crisis intervention counseling.
The Victim Compensation Fund offers financial assistance and our advocates assist in filing the necessary forms. Victim Advocates will make referrals to social services, medical and mental health care providers in the community. Victim Advocates work in short term crisis and grief counseling, always referring those needing long term counseling to mental health professionals in the community.
During the years of developing this program, the community has come to recognize the importance of victim assistance for victims of crime and crisis. There is great support for this program in the community and within our agency.
Indian River County Victim Rights' Coalition
The Indian River County Victim Rights’ Coalition holds true to it’s mission statement of holding coalition meetings the third (3rd) Wednesday of each month at 12:00 P.M. Please join us on the third (3rd) floor of the court house in the State Attorney’s Office. We look forward to joining with you, making a difference for victims of Indian River County.
For more information please call: Shirley Rosemond at 772-978-6255
or Lisa Larsen at 772-226-3304