Getting infomation is the first step to getting help. Let CVVC help you find the answers you need.




For more detailed answers to these or any additional questions, please call our 24-Hour Helpline. Caring, knowledgeable professionals can provide immediate help and guidance.

  1. Do I need to hire an attorney?

    No. As a victim of crime, you are a witness for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office will provide a prosecutor to process your case.

  2. Are CVVC's Counselor Advocates attorneys?
    What exactly is a Counselor Advocate?

    No. Our Counselor Advocates are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice. They are knowledgeable about the processes of the criminal and juvenile justice system, victims' rights, the impacts of trauma, victimization, and grief and loss.

    3. A Counselor Advocate is your support person to help you get through the various systems. They will provide crisis and supportive counseling to help you heal from your victimization and/or loss.

  3. Do you work for the District Attorney's Office or the police?

    No. However, CVVC works closely with the District Attorney's Office and the police to assist you in your interactions with them and to ensure your rights. CVVC is a separate, non-profit organization, serving the needs of crime victims, witnesses, families and communities impacted by violence.

  4. The criminal system seems so unfair towards victims. Do victims have any rights?

    Yes. The system can seem overwhelming and sometimes focused on the rights of the offender. However, as a crime victim in Pennsylvania, you do have rights. Please see the "Victims' Rights" section of this guide for more information and call CVVC for a complete explanation of your rights.

  5. I think my offender is in jail, can you check for me?

    Yes. CVVC operates an Offender Release Notification Program when the offender is incarcerated in the Allegheny County Jail. Contact CVVC's Helpline (24 hours per day, seven days per week) for enrollment information. If you are eligible for the program and enrolled, you will be notified of the release or transfer of your offender. If your offender is serving time in a state facility, CVVC will assist you in registering for the State Victim Input and Notification Programs.

  6. Will you call my employer to let them know I have to appear in court?

    All of CVVC services are confidential. However, we are happy to speak to anyone on your behalf, if you give us written permission to do so.

  7. Do I have to testify in court?

    Most often, victims and witnesses are needed to testify in court. Sometimes, victims and witnesses testify on more than one occasion. This question really depends on the circumstances of your individual case. Please contact CVVC and ask to speak to a Counselor Advocate.

  8. I feel like I'm going crazy. Am I?

    Something terrible has happened to you or your family. Perhaps, it has changed how you view yourself, others, and the world. You may feel like you're going crazy or have lost control. It is not uncommon for people to experience a variety of reactions to a traumatic experience. CVVC's professional Counselor Advocates and therapists are available to talk with you. Please call our 24-Hour Helpline.

  9. Will I feel this way forever? How long will it take until I feel better?

    There is no one answer to this question, because every situation and person is different. Healing takes time, but you can recover. It's important to take things one day at a time and get the help you need. CVVC's professional Counselor Advocates and therapists are available to talk with you more. Call our 24-Hour Helpline.

  10. How much do your services cost?

    CVVC offers services to victims, witnesses, and significant others free of charge. Please see the "Services for Victims and Witnesses" section of this guide for a listing of available services.

  11. I can't afford to pay the medical bills for the treatment I received after being assaulted.
    Can you help?

    Yes. The Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance Program covers various types of expenses, including medical expenses. Please find more victims compensation information in the "Services for Victims and Witnesses" section of the guide, and contact CVVC to see if you are eligible.

  12. In cases of homicide, how does a prosecutor make the decision to pursue a sentence of death?

    The prosecutor must review the case evidence to determine if one or more aggravating circumstances exist. Aggravating circumstances are extremely specific conditions which are defined by law. At least one aggravating circumstance must be present in order for the prosecutor to pursue the death penalty. For more information, ask your Counselor Advocate.



When you or someone you know has been a victim it is natural to have many questions, concerns and even moments of anxiety. For more than 30 years, victims have relied on caring, knowledgeable CVVC Counselor Advocates and therapists to help them through this very difficult time.

Please call our 24-Hour Helpline to get the answers you need.