Advocacy Court Orientation Victim Impact Statement Post Sentencing / Diposition Offender Release Notification Crisis Intervention Counseling/Therapy Medical Advocacy Victim Compensation 24-Hour Helpline Community Crisis Response Education & Outreach Other Referred Services
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CVVC is dedicated to helping individuals, families and communities survive the trauma of violence and crime by offering victim advocacy services, crisis intervention, counseling, and community education programs that address the causes and impacts of violence. We provide caring, competent support services to those impacted by all forms of violence and crime including, but not limited to: adult and child sexual assault; physical assault; child and elder abuse; homicide; robbery; and burglary. Our services are provided in a variety of locations, including court settings, police stations, hospitals and schools. Based on an assessment of your needs, CVVC staff may also provide services in your home. |
CVVC is able to help register victims into an Offender Release Notification program, so that they can be kept aware of their offender's status.
CVVC responds to hospitals as support persons in the hours, days and weeks after an individual's victimization.
You may be eligible for Crime Victims Compenstion. Contact CVVC for a thorough assessment of eligibility, detailed information on covered expenses, and assistance in filing a claim.
Caring, professional CVVC staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to the emergency needs of victims and witnesses, answer questions, and provide referrals to a wide range of additional support services.
| CVVC Counselor Advocates are there every step of the way to help protect the victim's rights, explain what is happening throughout the court and legal processes, and to be a source of comfort and support. |
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Advocacy is a form of active support. CVVC Counselor Advocates are trained, caring people dedicated to the many needs of victims and witnesses — helping to protect their rights, provide information and supportive counseling, and get them the services they need.
Court orientation and accompaniment is designed to give victims and witnesses someone to answer their questions, address their fears and walk them through the court process. Waiting for the justice system to work can be very hard for victims, because the process is sometimes long, confusing and often delayed. CVVC Counselor Advocates attend court and legal proceedings from the first hearing through the sentencing, or disposition, of the offender. They provide support and information, and help victims through the experience.
A victim impact statement is a right provided to crime victims under Pennsylvania law. This statement helps explain to the court how a crime has changed the lives of the victim, family and others close to the victim. Victim impact statements can be written, with help from CVVC staff, to give a permanent court record of the victim's words and to help a judge make decisions in the sentencing, or disposition, of an offender.
Even when a court case is complete, victims and witnesses may face additional proceedings or matters related to the justice system, sometimes years after the sentencing or disposition. CVVC staff is available to provide direction and advocacy to anyone coping with questions or concerns regarding case appeals, restitution orders, disposition reviews, input into parole or pardon decisions, and other offender release notifications.
Offender Release Notification is a right provided to eligible crime victims under Pennsylvania law. Victims have the right to be told about the release of an offender through work programs, furlough, parole, or relocation to a community treatment center. CVVC registers victims for the Allegheny County Jail Notification Program. We also help victims register for release notification services when the offender is serving time in a state or federal facility, or when a juvenile is placed in a facility for juvenile offenders. Contact CVVC to see if you are eligible for offender release notification.
Crisis intervention is available to individuals and their loved ones who have been impacted by violence or crime. When people have been victimized and therefore exposed to trauma, their sense of safety and well-being may be destroyed. CVVC believes that early outreach, intervention and crisis counseling can successfully lessen the short and long-term impacts of trauma. We provide information about the impacts of trauma and allow individuals to tell their story. Through this support, stress and worry can be reduced so the individual may be empowered to cope with future challenges.
Counseling can facilitate healing. A traumatic experience impacts the entire person — the way they think, the way they learn, the way they remember things and how they feel about themselves. The impact of violence and crime can often make it difficult for people to stay connected to family and community. CVVC assesses victims' and witnesses' needs and provides: supportive counseling; individual, family, and group therapy sessions; ongoing survivor support groups; and referrals to other treatment resources.
Following an incident of violence, victims may need medical attention. CVVC staff is available to respond to hospitals as support persons for the victim and their loved ones throughout their experience. CVVC Counselor Advocates provide information about various medical and legal procedures and help assess the victim's future needs for services.
Compensation
The goal of Victims Compensation is to help lessen the financial hardship a victim experiences because of crime.
While no amount of money is enough to erase the emotional and physical devastation that crime will cause, the Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance Program, a division of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, is committed to helping victims and their families through such crisis by easing their financial burden.
What Types of Expenses May be Covered?
The state establishes the maximum amounts for compensation awards. There are different limits for the following various types of expenses covered by the program.
- Medical Expenses refers to treatment, including hospital fees, dental fees and other expenses related to the injury, including physical therapy, ambulance, medications, and medical equipment and supplies.
- Home Healthcare could consist of at-home nursing care provided by an outside agency or individual when a victim has injuries directly related to the crime.
- Counseling that is necessary as a direct result of the crime. Victims, witnesses, family members, and others may be eligible. Contact CVVC for more information and an assessment of your eligibility.
- Loss of Earnings may be considered for a victim who is unable to work due to physical disability or emotional distress related to the crime.
- Loss of Support payments may be made for financial dependents of a deceased victim.
- Funeral Expenses are considered for any person who assumes the obligation, or who pays the funeral or burial expenses brought about as a direct result of the crime.
- Crime Scene Cleanup refers to the reasonable and necessary costs of cleaning the crime scene of a private residence. A private residence includes an apartment, condominium, mobile home or other personal living space.
- Relocation Expenses include the temporary or permanent relocation of the direct victim and the individuals residing in his/her household for the immediate protection of their safety and/or health.
- Stolen Benefit Cash refers to cash stolen or defrauded from victims whose primary source of income includes Social Security, retirement/pension, disability, or court-ordered child/spousal support.
- Replacement of Medical Devices includes expenses for the replacement of prosthetic devices, eyeglasses or other corrective lenses, hearing aids, canes, walkers, and dental devices either stolen or damaged as a result of the crime.
- Transportation Expenses can be considered for several situations including, but not limited to, transportation to medical and counseling appointments. Transportation expenses to court are not eligible.
- Child Care expenses can be considered for attendance at mandatory court appearances, medical or counseling appointments, or relocation.
- Replacement Service expenses can be considered for services provided by someone who replaces services that the victim normally provided him/herself. Replacement services include normal daily household chores, such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, lawn care services, transportation, childcare, etc.
- The Victims Compensation Assistance Program is regarded as "the payer of last resort." Other sources must be utilized and exhausted before payment can be considered. Also, if you are awarded Victims Compensation and later receive restitution or a civil award, the Victims Compensation Assistance Program must be reimbursed.
- Compensation information adapted from the Victims Compensation Assistance Program of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Restitution
As a victim of a crime, you may be entitled to restitution. Often a convicted offender or an adjudicated juvenile will be ordered by the judge to pay restitution to the victim for injuries to person or property. Restitution is intended as a financial payment to cover expenses and damages incurred by the victim, and to restore the victim to the same financial position he/she had before the crime. Contact CVVC to
discuss your restitution needs.
Civil Recourse
Regardless of the outcome of a criminal prosecution, even if there was not a prosecution, a crime victim can file a civil suit against an offender and other responsible parties. A civil suit is an attempt by the victim to obtain some economic recovery for the criminal act. If a defendant is found civilly liable, a court can order him/her to pay monetary damages to the victim. The economic award in any civil
suit will never fully compensate a victim for the trauma he/she experienced, but it is a resource to help victims continue to rebuild their lives. Civil suits are private causes of action of the victim against the offender(s). It does not involve the District Attorney's Office or any other governmental office. Rather, the private citizen must hire his/her own attorney to file a cause of action against the wrongdoer. Contact CVVC for more information and attorney/organization referrals.
Our 24-Hour Helpline offers round-the-clock assistance and information by caring, knowledgeable professionals who can provide immediate help and guidance. They are able to offer direction and referral to over 100 agencies and services. Our staff also provides in-person emergency response to hospitals, police stations and communities. Call our Helpline at 412.392.8582.
When violence, directly or indirectly, touches a community or business in Allegheny County, we bring our services to people where they live and work. Through early intervention and outreach, CVVC is able to lessen the effects of trauma that can seriously affect an individual, their family and entire community. CVVC has an extensive history of responding to communities with teams of NOVA (National Organization for Victim Assistance) trained staff. These teams provide crisis intervention, emotional support, validation, and safety planning to individuals and groups affected by violence and crime.
CVVC provides a wide range of community education and outreach through various innovative programs. See the "Community Education and Outreach" section of this guide for more information.
Our 24-Hour Helpline provides direction and referral to more than 100 agencies and services available to meet your additional needs. Such as:
- Child Care Resources
- HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling
- Employer/Creditor Intervention
- The Return of your Property after the Court Case is Completed
- Communication/Dialogue with the Offender
- Other Opportunities for Justice