Victims Advocate

Victim Services Policies and Procedures

  1. VOCA-GPD Victim Services Policies and Procedures revised 9.2021

GEORGETOWN POLICE: VICTIM SERVICES DEPARTMENT

The Georgetown Police Department has one full-time and one part-time Victim Advocate to serve the community.  We would like to thank the City of Georgetown as well as the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime.  Without financial support from both agencies, our advocacy positions would not be possible. If you need assistance, please contact Lyndsay Deaver (lyndsay.deaver@georgetownpolice.org) at 502-863-7826.  If you would like information on how to volunteer with the Victim Services Department, please the attached Policies and Procedures Manual and/or contact one of our Advocates.  

Advocates work with victims, family members, and/or witnesses of both reported and non-reported crimes.  A special emphasis is put upon victims of serious crime including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and youth abuse or neglect.  We work closely with a number of local agencies, institutions, and programs to ensure victims have effective and necessary resources for all parts of their lives that may have been impacted by crime.  It is the policy of the Victim Services Department that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, familial status, sexual orientation, sexual identity, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, or socio-economic status be discriminated against or denied services by the Victim Services Department. Advocates and Volunteers are expected to foster equal opportunity for services to anyone requesting assistance.  This includes: 

• Reasonable accommodations to eliminate any barriers   

• Consistent delivery of services across individuals

• Consistent perspective-taking and active listening related to individual needs/requests 

• Consistent intention to avoid stereotypes 

• Consistent intention to avoid imposing personal values or views on others

Mission Statement                                                            

To ensure crime victims and their families receive: accurate information about criminal cases and investigations, appropriate referrals to community resources, safety planning, information about the criminal justice system, and emotional support. Victim Advocates understand the impact of trauma on the emotional, physical, financial, social, spiritual, and psychological well-being of victims and family members. Advocates work hard to understand the needs /wants of victims to encourage healing.

Victim Advocates will provide a safe, supportive environment for victims to process what has happened and decide for themselves how to best move forward. A variety of options can be explored, and victims will decide the best course of action. Should a victim choose to report a crime, Advocates can assist throughout all stages of this process. Should a victim choose not to report, Advocates will provide information for services, referrals, and support in the community.

Types of Services Provided

Victim needs are individual and based upon the unique circumstances involved in each situation. However, the following lists include standard services Advocates may offer. If needed, additional assistance and services will be provided to ensure the safety and well-being of all victims.

• Information:

  •  Status updates regarding criminal investigations and court proceedings
  •  Explanations of the investigative process
  •  Ensure victims know who the law enforcement personnel involved are
  •  Explanations of specialized forensic procedures
    • Interviews at the Children's Advocacy Center
    • SANE Exams
  • Information about criminal justice processes
    • types and conditions that can be requested for protection orders
    • differences between criminal, family and DV Court
    • contact information for prosecuting attorneys
  • Information regarding Victim Rights
    • KY Bill of Rights Handbook (hard copy or website link)
    • link to Office of Attorney General, Victims Advocacy website
    • provide Rights and Responsibilities form
  • Victims Compensation Fund Application information
  • Explanations of VINE and KOOL services
  • Education and Outreach
    • Training on current trends regarding intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and child abuse/neglect
    • Training on the steps for seeking a Domestic Violence or Interpersonal Violence protection order
    • Signs and symptoms of trauma responses
    • Collaboration on ways to increase services for victims of crime in Scott County

• Resources

  • Referrals and support for specialized care
    • SANE exams
    • Emergency medical treatment
    • Regional sexual assault services
    • Regional intimate partner violence services
    • Trauma-informed counseling services
  • Referrals for legal assistance
  • Referrals for community agencies addressing housing, food, and other basic needs

• Assistance:

  • On-scene or department-based crisis intervention
  • Active safety planning
    • Request Extra Patrol
    • Provide home safety equipment as budget allows
  • Access sheltered housing if needed
  • Provide transportation to court, community agencies, etc.
  • Mediate with landlords, academic institutes, or employers 
  • Assist with completion and submission of Victims Compensation Fund Application 
  • Facilitate communication with attorneys, court personnel, and law enforcement 
  • Assist with formulating restitution amounts 
  • Assist with Victim Impact statements 
  • Provide options should a protection order be violated or intimidation towards a victim occur 

• Support:

  • Accompany victims to emergency medical treatment and/or forensic exams
  • Accompany victims during law enforcement interviews 
  • Accompany victims and family to court proceedings 
  • Accompany victims and family to meetings with prosecutors 
  • Accompany victims to Title 9 hearings