Crime victims require the intervention, time and continuing support of persons trained in counseling that relieves physical and emotional trauma. It is the policy of the Friendswood Police Department to ensure its capacity to meet victim needs, enhancing department efforts with the use of community volunteers.
Through training and work with department personnel volunteers will become effective victim advocates, skilled in crisis intervention and sensitive to persons in physical or emotional trauma.
Program Goals
The goals of the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) are to:
- Reduce the trauma and insensitive treatment victims/witnesses experience in the wake of a crime
- Increase victim/witness participation in the justice system by giving full recognition, and protection to the rights of these individuals
- Avoid inflicting "secondary victimization" that has often characterized much of the plight of the victims of crime
The Victim Assistance Volunteer must be sensitive to persons in physical and emotional trauma. Good communications skills, public speaking or public relations experience is desirable. Victim Assistance Volunteers will be utilized to achieve the following program procedures:
The Victim Assistance Volunteer shall adhere to the following commitments and responsibilities: